Frederick James Partridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frederick James Partridge (1877–1945) (known as Fred Partridge, works signed "FJP") was an English jeweller, silversmith and teacher of jewellery making, active circa 1901–1930.[1] His works are in the Art Nouveau style. He has been called the "British René Lalique".[2]
He was born in Barnstaple, North Devon, the son of David Partridge (a pharmacist) and his wife Mary Ann Hunt.[3] His elder sister Ethel Mairet (1872-1952) (née Partridge)[4] was a notable weaver, textile designer and dyer who wrote several books on hand-weaving.[1]
Career
He studied at Birmingham Municipal School of Art[5] where he shared lodgings with Henry Payne, painter and stained glass designer. After two years (c.1907-9) teaching at the Camberwell School of Art[6] in London and spending time at the Barnstaple Guild of Metalwork[7] and at the Guild and School of Handicraft in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire (established as a community of artists and craftspeople by the arts and crafts architect Charles Robert Ashbee), where his sister Ethel also studied,[8] he established himself as an artist and art jeweller, at some time before 1911[1] and worked from a studio in Dean Street,[7] London. Amongst his clients was the department store Liberty & Co[7] in Regent Street, London.