Extra Ordinary Pieces & Boxes

This little boat-shaped box is 7cm (2¾ in) long and is completely sealed. The main body is made of 18 carat yellow gold and its domed top is made of ebony inlaid with red gold, and a stunning mandarin garnet set in white gold. The box contains two wedding rings, one nestling inside the other, seated on a tiny turned wooden ring holder. The zigzag inlay on the lid spells out a set of initials: MW, and the garnet is so beautifully cut that it appears as though there is a light underneath it. Because of the amount of gold in it, the box is fairly heavy and sits comfortably in the hand.

This sealed box contains two wedding rings, one nestling inside the other, seated on a tiny turned wooden ring holder. Because of the amount of gold in it, the box is fairly heavy and sits comfortably in the hand. 2¾ in. 2018

This piece is 180cm (7 in) high and it started with the huge amethyst bought by my American clients. Too large to be worn as jewellery, they decided they would like a ‘house jewel’; essentially a small sculpture which is loosely based on a thistle to reflect their great love o Scotland. The video shows more detail of how it was designed. 2018

Commissioned by Chivas Regal whisky for their 200th anniversary tins. The brief was to use teh colours of silver and whisky, and to have no function. It is made from silver inlaid with two panels of mokume gane and a large piece of amber. The mokume is made from gold, silver and copper, patinated with heat. It has rockers underneath so the amber sparkles. It was shown at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 2001 in an exhibition of celebratory pieces.

2000

Made of silver and laminated wood from the prop shaft of a Second World War fighter plane, this was commissioned in memory of Sholto Dougllas, Lord Douglas of Kirtleside. The front of the trophy shows the front of the bi-plane Douglas flew and the silver propellers can be turned and arranged as desired. When spread out they look like the propellers in early films.

2005

Two pieces made for an exhibition about the Way of Tea (Japanese tea ceremony) in Glasgow. The tea kettle was designed in collaboration with Tim Chalk who sculpted and cast the main body of the kettle. I hand raised the lid from bronze and made a silver handle; the hammer marks reflecting teh swirling pattern of water. The square lid rest is made from patinated copper with brass rivets it reflects Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the rivets of Govan shipbuilders.

These spoons are made of solid silver and the handles are inlaid with red gold. Made for a wedding present.

This tiny silver box is made of silver. The lid is made from an old piano key inlaid with blue resin. The box is tiny - 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter - and is lined with suede so the tooth makes no noise. When the child grows up it can be used for cufflinks or a ring. 2017

Hexagonal box with an ebony lid inlaid with silver, made for a christening present.

1980s

The lid of this box is inlaid with triangular pieces of lapis lazuli. Also commissioned for a christening present.

The original sceptre is in Edinburgh Castle and forms part of the Scottish Crown Jewels which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. This gold-plated replica, with a real crystal ball, was made for part of the exhibition which tells the extraordinary story of how the Crown Jewels, missing since the time of Cromwell’s raids, were tracked down by Sir Walter Scott. Well worth a visit.