Renaissance tray, about 1900

Rectangular copper Renaissance tray made by Matthew Armstrong of the Keswick School of Industrial Art, 1900.

Elaborate repoussé design featuring the acanthus motif inspired by William Morris's designs for printed and woven textiles, embroidery and wallpapers. William Morris sent sample designs for his Kelmscott Press publications to the School to use as inspiration for their metalwork designs.

Keswick School of Industrial Art was the brainchild of Canon and Edith Rawnsley who established it in 1884. Rawnsley wanted to relieve seasonal unemployment, develop craft skills and revive interest in the area’s ancient traditions of woodcarving and copper mining.  Evening classes for up to 100 students took place at Crosthwaite Parish Room. Drawing, design, woodcarving, metalwork, spinning flax and linen weaving were taught. The School became well known for its copper and silver metalwork with repoussé decoration – produced by skillful punching, hammering and pressing techniques. Designs were often inspired by historic examples in museums and by natural forms. The Scandinavian serpent design found on traditional Lakeland furniture was often used, as were local Norse and Viking motifs.

The School made a wide range of household items but became more innovative when designers were appointed.  The School exhibited nationally from 1891 and later became more commercial and concentrated on high quality pieces and special commissions. Stainless steel products were first produced in 1930. Lack of new designs, insistence on hand-production, and competition from cheaper machine-made items sadly forced the School to close in 1984, its centenary year.