Stuart Devlin
| Santims engraved by Stuart Devlin. | |
|---|---|
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| Obverse: Ethiopian lion head, year and country name. | Reverse: Vega bond Hunter and face value. |
| 5 santims were made of two metals, Brass (1969 only) and steel coated with Nickle (1996-). This particular coin is made of Brass (1969). Coins made of steel are magnetic and the lion head is bigger. | |
Stuart Leslie Devlin, AO, CMG (born 9 October 1931) is a significant contemporary gold and silversmith. Australian-born, he has designed coins for countries around the world, and became especially well known as London-based designer of gold and silver collector's items in the 1970s and '80s.
Devlin was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and become an art teacher, specializing in gold and silversmithing. In 1957 he obtained a post at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and studied for a Diploma of Art in gold and silversmithing. He was awarded scholarships to study at the Royal College of Art in London in 1958, and was awarded a Harkness Fellowship by the Commonwealth Fund. He spent the two-year fellowship at Columbia University, United States.
He returned to teach in Melbourne in 1962 and subsequently became an inspector of art schools. He rose to fame when, in 1964, he won a competition to design the first decimal coinage for Australia.
In 1965, he moved to London and opened a small workshop. This marked the beginning of Devlin's own style, which often took the form of limited editions, the most popular being Easter eggs and Christmas boxes, now collectors' items. He adapted and devised new techniques to produce a wide variety of textures and filigree forms, and became well known in London's West End, producing a new collection each year. He had a prestigious showroom in Conduit Street 1979–1985.
In 1966 a Stuart Devlin fine silver sculpture was commissioned by Ford of Britain to celebrate the release of the new Mk IV Ford Zephyr and Zodiac range of motor vehicles.
He has designed furniture, interiors, jewellery, and commissioned pieces of all types, including trophies, clocks, centrepieces, goblets, candelabra, bowls, and insignia. Among his most popular commissions, Devlin has designed coins and medals for 36 countries throughout the world, including precious coins for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the medals for the founding awards of the Australian honours system in 1975: the Order of Australia, the Australian Bravery Decorations and the National Medal.
In 1982, Devlin was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweller to Her Majesty the Queen. He was Prime Warden of the Goldsmith's Company 1996–97. Although he is no longer Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths he continues to work with the company (as well as taking various commissions) and is particularly involved in the developing of a new institute for future Goldsmiths, and also with various other aspects which involve opportunities for up and coming Jewellers and Goldsmiths including a summer school and 'getting started' course.
Having closed his London workshop, he now lives in Littlehampton, West Sussex. He no longer draws, as he was afflicted by a stroke in 2014.[1]
References
- ↑ Ray Edgar, "The king of the coins counts a life well spent", The Sunday Age, 7 February 2016, p. 24