IMPACT AND INFLUENCES | Huguenot Silversmiths and The Brookes Bequest with Dennice Collett

The Huguenot silversmiths were French refugees who travelled to England and America in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Some settled in Spitalfields, London where they re-established themselves in industries as silversmithing, papermaking, silk and woollen weaving, stocking and glove-making.

As silversmiths England gained such masters of their craft as Paul Lamerie, Pierre Platel, and Lewis Mattayer. Within The Brookes Bequest there is an indicative selection of London Huguenot silversmiths: Jacob Margas, David Willaume, and David Williaume II (attributed).

In this lecture Dennice Collett will introduce us to some of the key pieces from The Brookes Bequest that relate to The Huguenot silversmiths and their impact and influences on English silversmithing, new designs and taste.

DENNICE COLLETT is Consultant specialist, Decorative Arts, at Gibson’s Auctioneers and Valuers in Armadale and previously was the long serving Decorative Arts Manager at Philips Auctions in Malvern.

With formal qualifications in Music, Fine Art and Museum Studies from the University of Melbourne and Monash University Dennice is always enthralled by the beauty, craftsmanship, and stories behind the objects she handles.

This lecture is presented on-site at The Johnston Collection. Please see your ticket for details.

This lecture is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust.

This lecture coincides with the exhibition SPLENDID and its accompanying publication are supported by a specified fund established from the Estate of Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes.

images:
artist unknown
Paul Crespin, England, circa 1720
oil on canvas laid on board | 1140 x 900 mm
collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, P.29-1985
image used with permission

attributed to David Willaume II (French/English, 1696-1761)
coffee pot, London, 1732
sterling silver | 235 x 220 x diameter (at base) 115 mm
The Johnston Collection (A1681), bequest of C H (Roger) Brookes, Melbourne, 2021

Jacob Margas (English, fl. 1706-1730)
caster, London, 1712
sterling silver | 160 x diameter 65 mm
The Johnston Collection (A1599), bequest of Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes, Melbourne, 2021, in memory of his parents Sir Wilfred Deakin Brookes, CBE, DSO, AE and Mrs. Betty (née Heal) Brookes