Fellows' Antiques, Silver and Collectables auction on 14th April, includes a private collection of over fifty pieces of metalware made at the Duchess of Sutherland Cripples Guild. 

 

 

Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland (1867-1955) was a leading Society hostess of her day who also developed a reputation as a social reformer due to her campaigns for better working and living conditions in the Staffordshire Potteries. 
 
One of her family’s homes was Trentham Hall in North Staffordshire, and whilst there, she was shocked by the poverty she saw, especially amongst the children, many of whom worked in the potteries. She was also concerned about unsafe working practices, particularly the use of lead-based glazes, known to cause chronic poisoning and disease. Her first public campaign to remove the use of lead was successful. However, it did earn her the title ‘Meddlesome Millie’ from some of the manufacturers. 

Around 1900, Millicent set up the Potteries and Newcastle Cripples Guild. It had two main aims. The first was to raise funds and provide medical aid and assistance to the many disabled children of the potteries. The second was to provide training in various crafts and skills to the children and young adults, to hopefully enable them to become more self-sufficient. The Guild began by teaching trades like artificial flower making and basket weaving. By 1903, they had started producing pottery and metalwork, mainly in copper and silver plate on copper, but a few fine examples were also made in silver. Early metalwork pieces were heavily influenced by the Scottish Arts and Crafts. 

From 1902 to 1907, the Guild was based in Wilson Street, Hanley. In 1907, Millicent wished to expand the Guild, and it was renamed the Duchess of Sutherland Cripples Guild. The workshops were subsequently moved to buildings in the grounds of the Trentham Estate, and the distinctive maker’s mark of D.S.C.G under a ducal coronet was introduced and added to all items produced. It is around this date that the style of the metalwork changed, and the Guild began to create replicas of 16th -18th century pieces, often from private owner collections or museums. Possibly due to the influence of Francis Arthur Edwardes, who took over as Manager of the metalwork department at some point in 1908. 

Of all the trades taught at the Guild, metalworking was the most successful. A shop was opened on New Bond Street, London, and items were purchased by Royalty and the aristocracy. 

The Guild was in existence for just twenty years. Having been impacted by the First World War and a change in tastes afterwards, Millicent decided to close the Guild in 1922. 

 

Cripples Guild Metalware at Auction

The collection in our 14th April Antiques, Silver & Collectables auction, features a wide range of items, comprising spot-hammered examples in the Arts and Crafts style, and some replicas of earlier pieces. Notable lots include an impressive five piece washstand set, a lovely, lidded jug with a wicker-covered handle, and a part tea set with a kettle on stand, together with an assortment of bowls, dishes, chargers, and decorative pieces.

Lot 102
Duchess of Sutherland Cripples Guild washstand set
Estimate £300 - £500

 

Lot 106
Duchess of Sutherland Cripples Guild lidded jug
Estimate £80 - £120

 

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