Historic house a shining example for modern-day silversmiths

Drawing on the house’s renowned collections as well as its beautiful gardens and landscape, their dazzling work will be the centrepieces of an exhibition that gives a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the remarkable world of working with silver.

Artist Miriam Handid has been crafting her Phoenix Jug piece in her Suffolk workshop after being inspired by the birds of Temple Newsam, in particular an 18th century side table designed by John Vardy and the Chinese Drawing Room wallpaper featuring birds cut from John James Audubon’s book The Birds of America.

The symbolism of the phoenix and its rebirth also took on added relevance when she became a mother to her daughter in 2022.

Miriam said: “I worked my design using specialist chasing and repoussé techniques within the main body of the jug, which includes the phoenix with its majestic wings, and scroll details taken from around Temple Newsam. The latter were integrated with dynamic flames, originating from a hidden egg at the base, which frames the hallmarks.

“Even in the face of destruction and loss, a newfound energy can arise from our hearts. When all seems hopeless, something new, something surprising, something of beauty, can burst forth from the precious egg buried beneath the ashes- it is up to us to dig until we find it.”

Meanwhile Yusuke Yamamoto’s piece, Dappled Swag: Temple Newsam, made at his base in North Wales, has been influenced by plants found around the estate which also feature prominently in the 500 year-old house’s décor.

His remarkable artwork includes English oak, platanus, horse-chestnut, cherry plum, weeping willow, pine, thistle, hollyhock, and roses.

He said: "It has been a real privilege to create this vase for Temple Newsam. The house and its remarkable interiors, together with the park and its rich variety of plants and trees, have been a constant source of inspiration throughout the making process. 

“I hope visitors will enjoy discovering the vase within the house and seeing how it responds to the changing light of its surroundings."

The finished exhibition will see both works on display alongside a film capturing the design and making process from start to finish as well as sketches, drawings, models and test pieces.

Both artists have employed a technique known as chasing, where hammers and punches are used to shape the surface of the silver. Their pieces will be added to Temple Newsam’s impressive permanent collection.

The commissions have been entirely funded by the Leeds Art Fund, with the accompanying film funded by the Leeds Art Fund and the Silver Society.

Adam Toole, curator at Temple Newsam House, said: “It’s genuinely fascinating to see and hear about the astonishing level of skill and ingenuity that goes into creating these beautiful works of contemporary art, and even more so considering they have both been inspired by Temple Newsam.

“The contrast between the two pieces, despite both artists being influenced by the house and estate, also demonstrates how individual their interpretations and styles are.

“As we can already see from our historic collection at the house, using silver to create stunning decorative masterpieces is an artform which goes back centuries, so having the opportunity to add two such incredible contemporary works to the collection and learn from the experts just how that medium has evolved is a real privilege.”

Temple Newsam’s collection already contains a number of historic examples of British silver as well as works by leading contemporary makers including Ndidi Ekubia, William Lee, Junko Mori, Shinta Nakajima and Hiroshi Suzuki.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “Temple Newsam is one of our city’s most dazzling cultural gems, capturing centuries of history through both its stunning setting and astonishing collection.

“Having the opportunity to add new layers to that story thanks to the work of contemporary artists and makers is wonderful and I’m sure these beautiful creations will enthral visitors to the house for many years to come.”

Reflections in Silver opens on August 12 and will be at the house until October 23.

For more information, visit: Reflections in Silver at Temple Newsam | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

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