Arthur Joseph Gaskin (1862-1928) was an English painter, jeweler, illustrator and engraver born in Birmingham. In 1883 he entered the Birmingham School of Art where he met his future wife, Georgina Evelyn Cave France (1866–1934). The school was closely associated with William Morris and the Arts & Crafts (“Arts and Crafts”) movement. Two years after entering, Arthur was appointed assistant master, although he did not complete the full course of study. Georgie studied at the Birmingham School of Art and, from around 1888, won prizes for her designs for needlework, wallpaper, and metalwork.
Forget me not necklace silver enamel pink tourmalines turquoise pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910.
Arthur and Georgie worked together as illustrators, Arthur taught. The couple married on March 21, 1894. And they began to create jewelry in 1899, already being mature artists. Both of them mastered the skills of jewelry making, and, if necessary, hired assistants. They founded a workshop whose work delighted with the elegance of handicrafts. Their jewelry design was strongly influenced by the style of artists such as Edward Burne-Jones, and they shared his admiration for the work of the Renaissance masters. Their work is rarely signed, but experts can quite confidently identify their pieces by their designs of closely spaced leaves and jeweled flowers.
Love in the Mist necklace silver enamel pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910 from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum London.
The decorations were initially quite simple and consisted of silver wire, decorated with colored stones and enamel, over time the designs became more complex, precious stones appeared in the decor. Describing the process, Georgie wrote, “I did all the design and he did all the enamel, and we both did the work with our assistants.” The Gaskins’ jewelry work was in demand. Success contributed to the appointment of Arthur as head of the Birmingham School of Silversmiths and Goldsmiths (1902-1924).
Silver openwork necklace enamel opal Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1905.
Arthur and Georgie had two daughters: Jocelyn (b. 1903) and Margaret (b. 1907). The eldest of the girls later became an artist.
Silver pendant set with crystal and opal Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1907.Silver necklace with silver pink tourmaline enamel and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910.Pendant with emeralds Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910.Silver necklace with silver pink tourmaline chrysoprase emerald and pearls Arthur Joseph Gaskin circa 1907.Silver brooch with crystal Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910.Chalcedony and pearl silver necklace Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1903.Silver bird necklace moonstone turquoise and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1914.Silver necklace with chalcedony garnet and beryl Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1914.Pendant in silver gilt with opal and enamel Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1911.Silver necklace with chalcedony and blistered pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1907.Silver necklace with silver pink tourmaline pearls and enamel Arthur Joseph Gaskin circa 1907.Ring with gilding sapphire emeralds and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin.Gold necklace with diamonds opal pink tourmaline enamel and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1913.Silver and gold necklace with black opal and tourmaline Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910 1914.Corsage Love Garland brooch in silver and gold with opal pink tourmaline enamel and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1912.Silver set with opal pink tourmaline emeralds and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1912.Enamelled kingfisher necklace set with opal and pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1907.Silver comb with pearls Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1910.Silver brooch with coral Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1907. Arts & Crafts Jewelry.Brooch with moonstone rock crystal pink tourmaline and emerald Arthur and Georgie Gaskin circa 1907.Silver brooch with opal and enamel Arthur Gaskin circa 1912. Silver box decorated with enamel Arthur Gaskin circa 1903.Fiametta. Portrait of Georgie Gaskin by Arthur Gaskin.
