21st Birthday

Silver plate engraved from 21 photos, one for each year of his son’s life. It depicts his growth, family, development, interests, and incorporates the home he has lived in.

Ritratto di Natalia

Engraved silver panel featuring portrait work and letter cutting.

Jug and dish

This enamelled jug and dish in Britannia silver, 18ct and 22ct gold, is a collaborative piece by Fred Rich and Christopher Lawrence, and winner of the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Company Award Prize 2009.

Dragon candelabra

A magnificent pair of candelabra standing 37cm high. Silver, silver gilt, and enamel with 22ct gold wire. The client’s brief was to celebrate ‘the spirit of Catalonia’.

Damsels beaker

Silver, silver gilt & 18ct gold, and enamel with 22ct gold cloisonné. The enamelled damsel flies sit proud of the hand engraved background. 18ct gold is at the centre of the seed heads wafting by. Height is 120mm.

Mermaid salt

Silver, 18ct & 22ct gold, silver gilt, & enamel. Three mermaids gather sea spray from a foaming sea to produce the finest salt. A fourth mermaid, in the form of a spoon, offers the salt in her cupped hands. Size approx. 160 x 110 x 60mm.

Enamel Design
Email: info@fredrichenameldesign.com
Web: www.fredrichenameldesign.com

Much of Fred’s work today is made to private commission, and examples of his work can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, in the British Museum, and in the collection of the Goldsmiths’ Company.

Fred studied in London at the Central School of Art, and then at Sir John Cass School of Art n the late 70’s and early 80’s. He set up his own workshop after leaving college, and it was right from the beginning that he started to develop his own enamelling technique - a variation of Cloisonné - areas of coloured enamel divided by wires fired into the enamel.

Fred best describes his style of enamelling as a cross between cloisonné and basse-taille - enamel on an engraved, carved, or etched surface. Each piece results from an incredibly labour intensive process.

Coupled with Fred’s breathtaking enamelling skills is his exceptional design talent. Much of the enamelled silverware is made to private commission, this includes not only the enamelled theme, but also the vessel itself. Commissioned pieces have included a wide spectrum of work from small beakers, through to a harlequin set of 6 goblets, or a pair of elaborate candelabra.

With any piece, the client can also have complete freedom to choose the enamelled theme. The design brief from clients can vary considerably, from wanting a very specific theme such as a vase with native British butterflies - each butterfly having to be anatomically correct - through to wanting Fred to capture “the spirit” of a particular theme, but leaving the final design to Fred. Enamelled scenes have included hobbies such as golf, sailing, shooting, or skiing, a client’s passion for frogs, the origins of cricket, the British countryside, flowers, or marine themes, to mention just a few.

Fred very much enjoys the interaction with clients, and often this can lead to the most spectacular pieces. Close client interaction also results in very personal pieces. Often Fred adds a secret, humorous reference to the client’s life, passions, or hobbies.

Silver swimming medal

Boar’s Head

Inlay & overlay, boar’s head in steel.

Booster Cushion

Pen & ink drawing of Booster Cushion Theatre.