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Guildcraft copper, and now silver

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Author	Topic: Guildcraft copper, and now silver
Callie Posts: 93 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 11-11-2003 10:01 AM I have a copper box marked Guildcraft/Scarborough/Canada, and think it's from the 30s and made at the Guild Inn in Toronto. Has anyone else seen this mark? And on anything other than copper? ------------------ IP: Logged
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 Registered: Apr 93	posted 11-11-2003 11:51 AM I haven't seen the mark. What was/is the Guild Inn in Toronto and why would they be producing metalworks? Was it similar to the rehab center at the Gaylord Sanitorium that taught silversmithing as a way to help TB victims recuperate? IP: Logged
Callie Posts: 93 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 11-11-2003 12:19 PM The Guild of All Arts, in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, was formed in 1932, when Spencer and Rosa Clark bought the land with its original log cabin (still there). Their aim was to promote Arts and Crafts and to have artists to demonstrate their crafts. There were shops and studios, and classes of instruction in wrought-iron, pewter/copper/brass, weaving, batik, ceramics and leather. In metals, resident demonstrators included Douglas Boyd, Keith Hartwell, Harold Stacey and Franz Kral [who I think made my little copper box]. There were also guest artists, incluing Arthur Neville Kirk. The Guild was operational until the early 1940s. There is a move afoot to revive this site with similar focus on the arts. ------------------ IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 11-11-2003 11:23 PM I have images of two GUILDCRAFT marks. One has the familiar MW marks of Eastcoast distributor Max Willie. The other has GUILDCRAFT stamped in an arc over the words HAND and WROUGHT. Which of these are we discussing? The pieces marked with the MW often are decorated with transluscent enamels. Fred [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 02-15-2005).] IP: Logged
Callie Posts: 93 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 11-12-2003 09:36 AM Hi Fred: There obviously were at least 2 US Guildcrafts...the one here is definitly Canadian/Toronto/Scarborough. I've only seen items made in copper, and with no enamel. ------------------ IP: Logged
Callie Posts: 93 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 02-29-2004 02:24 PM Guildcraft also made aluminum items. I have just purchased an aluminum tray decorated with an engraved trillium, for $5.00. 18 x 12 inches. Marked on base: Guildcraft Studios (in script, arched) HAND WROUGHT CANADA Fred, does your piece with the arched name also have CANADA? IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 02-15-2005 12:36 PM Callie, I just received a small sterling pickle fork marked GUILDCRAFT HAND WROUGHT STERLING. Well made piece of flatware. Is this possibly the Canadian firm you speak of? Fred IP: Logged
Callie Posts: 93 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 02-16-2005 09:48 AM I don't think so, Fred. The Guild in Toronto was active in the 30s and there wasn't much money around. Silver seems a bit extravagant. But anything is possible. Has anyone else seem Guildcraft silver? IP: Logged
Callie Posts: 93 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 02-16-2005 10:25 AM Further thoughts re Fred's silver: In 1935, Arthur Neville Kirk came to the Guild of all Arts in Scarborough for an exhibition of his works and "during the summer at th Guild he conducted a school in the art of designing with silver, gold and enamel." It's possible that the silver is work by his students. If it's of fine quality, it may have been made by one of the resident metalsmith/teachers which were Douglas Boyd, Franz Kral, Keith Hartwell and Harold Stacey. Wouldn't it be nice if it was the last one? My dad! IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 02-16-2005 01:57 PM I am always reminded about how little we know about those who preceeded us and how much we are in debt to those who take the time to research and document what is available. It will be interesting to see what surfaces on the GUILDCRAFT silver. Callie, Thanks for your valuable help. Fred IP: Logged

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