About The Peartree Collection

The pear tree collection

The Peartree Collection is a gallery established in 2015 by Anthony Bernbaum specialising in arts and crafts and art nouveau silver and jewellery. The Gallery is a member of both the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) and LAPADA.  The philosophy of the Gallery is to sell items across all price ranges including rare and special pieces by leading silversmiths, jewellers, architects and designers active during the period  1890 to 1914.

The Gallery’s focus is on works that are representative of the radical design and social movements at the end of the 19th century that influenced so much of the twentieth century. The Collection features pieces by Archibald Knox, Charles Ashbee and the Guild of Handicraft, Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, A E Jones, the Keswick School of Industrial Art, Kate Harris, Gilbert Marks and the Artificers Guild.

The Gallery focuses on pieces that fit with the Gallery’s overall concept of showcasing  items that reflect both the design and history of their period. Silver and jewellery pieces are chosen that: illustrate modernity ahead of their time; are wonderful to hold and look out; have historical or social significance; and, ideally, have that imperceptible quality Ashbee referred to as “soul”.

The Gallery’s founder is Anthony Bernbaum.  Anthony was previously a Director of the Archibald Knox Society until June 2016 and organised and curated the Archibald Knox 150th Anniversary Exhibition at Olympia in June 2014.  After a near thirty year career in financial services, Anthony is now pursuing his passion through The Peartree Collection.

The Collection very much reflects the enthusiasm and interest of the Gallery’s founder.  It is constantly evolving as items are sold and being added to through new purchases. All items are for sale and  are thoroughly researched and, for many, the original design drawing or reference in contemporary art journal or catalogue has been identified.

Anthony has published several articles on arts and crafts including on the works of Oliver Baker and Archibald Knox for Liberty’s Cymric silver range and on arts and crafts ceremonial trowels. He enjoys researching items and is always available for questions.