An Alwyn Carr arts and crafts silver buckle or clasp

Price range: Reserved

A very good silver and enamel clasp or buckle by Alwyn Carr,   Carr was one half of the Ramsden & Carr partnership that split after the first world war.  Omar Ramsden went on to to great commercial success, whilst Alwyn Carr remained a studio silversmith whose work is far rarer.    This clasp or buckle is a very classic example of Carr’s work.  The design has a gothic, even Celtic, arts and crafts flavour, with bright highly foiled blue enamel plaques.  The enamels are typical Ramsden and Carr style (Carr is said to have done the partnership’s enamelling pre war).  The holes in the clasps are for stitches so that it can be sewn onto a belt or coat.

The silver is in excellent original condition.  The enamel is all original and complete, What may appear to be cracks in the enamel are the folds in the foiling under the enamel.  There is some cracking/crazing visible some of which is almost certainly original to manufacture (as the enamel cooled from the furnace).  There are age consistent chips to the enamel edges which overall are in very good condition.  The clasp is not hallmarked but each piece carries Alwyn Carr’s maker mark in crisp condition.  I would estimate this piece to date to c 1920.  It is a good gauge, with the silver pattern to the front having been applied to quite thick sheet silver (not repousse).

Maker: Alwyn Carr

Designer: Alwyn Carr

Date : c, 1920

Marks: AC. Not assayed

Material: Sterling silver, enamel

Condition: See description. Overall very good.

Size: 10 cm long

Weight: 28 grams, 1.0 oz