Arts and Crafts box by John Paul Cooper
John Paul Cooper was a leading Arts and Crafts designer and maker, who worked in the tradition of William Morris.
Cooper initially trained as an architect for three years from 1888.
In 1897 he took up metalwork in Kensington, London, and specialised in combining unusual materials especially shagreen with silver. In 1899 he sent some items, four in total to the Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
He became head of the metalwork department at Birmingham School of Art from 1904 - 1907 having been teaching in Birmingham from 1901.
John Paul Cooper was renowned for the use of shagreen in his designs, a material which he started using in and around 1903 and it was through his use of it that it become established as a luxury material in the 1920 to 1930's. He is also known for his jewellery and watercolours.
Condition
Good consistent with age
United Kingdom
Shagreen & silver
8311820