Two Kate Harris silver fronted prayer books

Price: Sold

For sale, together or separately, are these prayer books, each with a hallmarked silver cover designed by Kate Harris.  One is marked for William Hutton Birmingham 1903, the other William Hutton Birmingham 1904.  One carries a familiar “Dutch maid” motif (1904) by Harris, the other (1903) carries a rarely seen more dynamic sculptural art nouveau image of a woman in profile.   I have never seen covers like these by Harris and they are absolutely charming.

The silver covers are simply tacked to the books’ leather bindings along the spine and then the silver wrapped around the covers’ edges.

Condition of both prayer books is excellent – I would say barely ever used.  The silver covers are also in excellent condition with scratches commensurate with their age.  The 1903 mark is slightly rubbed.

Kate Harris was employed by the London studio of William Hutton & Sons to produce artistic silver from 1899 to c 1905.  Harris was one of the very few women, or British exhibitors, to win recognition at the 1900 Paris International Exhibition.

For more information on Kate Harris, see Professor Stephen Pudney’s articles on her in the Decorative Arts Society Journal Vol 22 “A marriage of art and commerce: Kate Harris and the arts and crafts silverware of William Hutton & Sons” and Vol 39 “Katie Harris: Mystery Woman of English Art Nouveau”.

Maker:  William Hutton & Sons

Designer:  Kate Harris

Date: 1903/4

Marks: WH&Sons , Birmingham, “d/e”

Material: Sterling silver/paper/leather

Condition: Excellent

Size: 12 cm x 8 cm (each)

Weight: NM