posted 01-12-2015 11:47 AM            

Ronald Lea Erratt

Australian friends shared with us a photo of a necklace they commissioned for their daughter (see item 1 below).

We ask to learn more...

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Dear Scott,

Yvonne has passed on to us your inquiry about the maker of the silver pendant that she commissioned for her daughter, Alex.

The pendant was made by my husband so he, being a modest man, has passed the responsibility on to me to answer your inquiry.

Ronald Lea Erratt is his full name: he is known as Ron Erratt.

Ron commenced silversmithing as a hobby in 1973, receiving tuition at Willoughby Workshop Arts Centre in Sydney for several years. Over the years he has participated in a broad range of workshops covering such techniques as hot forging, cold forging, raising, hammering techniques, enamelling, decorative inlaid surface techniques (Choum Iybsa), hydraulic pressing, filigree and stone setting.

As a hobbyist smith, Ron’s smithing time was limited by his professional and family commitments, until his retirement a few years ago. During that era he made a range of jewellery items and christening, birthday and wedding presents for family and friends: serviette rings, key rings, paper knives, money clips, pendants, brooches, rings, earrings and cuff links. For a number of years, family members have received a silver Christmas tree decoration each December. A forged ladle and mustard spoons have been added to the family cutlery collection.

Having more leisure time recently, he has designed and made, by various techniques, a broader range of silverware: a raised silver self-righting tumbler; a fabricated hexagonal tea caddy and forged caddy spoon; a fabricated pair of salt and pepper shakers; a travelling set of cutlery; a fabricated stamp dispenser and he enjoys having the time to indulge his daughter’s passion for silver jewellery designed and made by her father! His wife is similarly spoilt.

His initials – RLE – are his maker’s mark. An incuse RLE maker’s mark was exclusively used between 1973 and 2010. An in cameo RLE mark within a rectangular lozenge was introduced in 2010 and Ron chooses the appropriate stamp for use on each item.

He uses 925 to denote sterling silver and 999 for fine silver. Prior to 2001 he used STG SIL as his mark to denote sterling silver quality.

My kind regards to you and June.

Christine Erratt

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