Christopher Lawrence

Christopher Lawrence was born in 1936 and is Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. He is based in Essex. He decided that he wanted to become a silversmith at the age of 13 after paying a visit to a silver factory as a boy scout, arranged by Norman Vendor, his scout master.

 

 

His father built him a workshop at the bottom of the family garden for the young Lawrence to learn his skills in. This was  before he attended the Central School of Arts in London. He has been apprenticed to C J Vander as a tray maker and flat hammer man at the age of 15.

At the age of 21, Lawrence worked at R E Stone alongside a number of reputed craftsmen. He stayed there for two years and learned how to hand raise with a hammer. In an environment where everything was hand made.

 

He then spent nearly a decade working as Gerald Benney’s workshop manager. Then went on to set up his own garden workshop in the late 1960s. Not long after, Lawrence then opened his own Leigh-on-Sea design studio and workshop, employing nine silversmiths.

 

However, the recession hit, leading to him closing the workshop and working on his own. Designing and making a wealth of pieces instead of running a time-consuming business.

 

Christopher Lawrence then relocated to Southend, once again working from a garden workshop. He then went on to win 28 prizes in the Goldsmiths Craft Council. The also hold 3 Jacque Cartier Memorial Awards. A one-man exhibition was held in 1973 at Goldsmith’s Hall, wowing visitors with his stunning, idiosyncratic silver tableware. The 1970s were a prolific time for Lawrence. During which he provided designs for C J Vander and produced limited edition pieces for Jean Renet of Old Bond Street.

Lawrence is a member of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths, and is famed for his hand-raising techniques. With a lifetime of experience in the trade, spanning more than seven decades. Lawrence is seen as an expert in his field and a true craftsman.

 

He is still active today and regularly takes part in exhibitions and talks. Also passing his knowledge of the hand raising craft onto new generations of hopeful silversmiths. Lawrence’s work changes hands for vast sums today. Consequently  with the silversmith’s name regularly being mentioned alongside other figures of excellent repute such as Gerald Benney and Stuart Devlin, making him one of the most skilled craftsmen of post-war Britain.