Fred Rich is well established as one of Britain ’s most dynamic and exciting art enamellers. His distinctive style and technical expertise make him one of the country’s foremost designers, attracting a wide circle of discerning collectors, both at home and abroad.
Fred’s outstanding work, in which technical perfection gives free rein to creativity and artistry, has won him many awards, including three times winner of the Jaques Cartier Memorial award and the Diamonds International award.
Whether it is exquisite jewellery or stunning enamelled silverware, Fred’s work is truly breathtaking. Working extensively to private commission, Fred produces extremely personal pieces to be treasured by the client, and generations to come.
Fred Rich produces truly magnificent pieces of enamelled silverware and 18 ct gold jewellery, taking the field of art enamelling to the limits with every new design. Much of the success of Fred’s work is based on the fact that he is a multi-dimensional craftsman; designer, draughtsman, artist, master enameller, carver, engraver, and silversmith. Many of Fred’s larger pieces require all of these disciplines, executed to the highest standard.
Much of Fred’s work today is made to private commission, and examples of his work can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, in the British Museum, and in the collection of the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Fred studied in London at the Central School of Art, and then at Sir John Cass School of Art n the late 70’s and early 80s. He set up his own workshop after leaving college, and it was right from the beginning that he started to develop his own enamelling technique – a variation of Cloisonné – areas of coloured enamel divided by wires fired into the enamel.
Fred best describes his style of enamelling as a cross between cloisonné and basse-taille – enamel on an engraved, carved, or etched surface. Each piece results from an incredibly labour intensive process. Fred starts with the form, a vase for example. The enamelled design has to be scribed onto the surface of the vase. 22 carat gold wire is then applied to the vase and soldered on. This “draws” the design onto the vase. However, each piece of gold wire has to be cut and bent to shape before being soldered on. This can mean that hundreds of small pieces of gold wire are used in one design.
Once the design is in place, the metal is then hand carved in relief. This not only removes the firestain from the metal, but gives the enamel added life and brilliance through the use of textures. The use of relief carving, gives the enamel definition and vitality, and the resulting play with light makes a huge difference to the pictorial effect – transparency gives the whole piece life.
The application of the enamel is an extremely painstaking process. Several layers of enamel have to be applied, working in sections at a time. Each layer of enamel has to be fired on at extremely high temperatures – the temperature of the kiln set higher than the melting point of silver! The surface of the enamel is then ground back to reveal the gold wires, and the piece is given one last “flash” firing to leave a brilliantly glossy and smooth surface. This whole process can mean that larger pieces are fired in the kiln up to 40 times.
Coupled with Fred’s breathtaking enamelling skills is his exceptional design talent. Much of the enamelled silverware is made to private commission, this includes not only the enamelled theme, but also the vessel itself. Commissioned pieces have included a wide spectrum of work from small beakers, through to a harlequin set of 6 goblets, or a pair of elaborate candelabra.
With any piece, the client can also have complete freedom to choose the enamelled theme. The design brief from clients can vary considerably, from wanting a very specific theme such as a vase with native British butterflies – each butterfly having to be anatomically correct - through to wanting Fred to capture “the spirit” of a particular theme, but leaving the final design to Fred. Enamelled scenes have included hobbies such as golf, sailing, shooting, or skiing, a client’s passion for frogs, the origins of cricket, the British countryside, flowers, or marine themes, to mention just a few.
Fred very much enjoys the interaction with clients, and often this can lead to the most spectacular pieces. Close client interaction also results in very personal pieces. Often Fred adds a secret, humorous reference to the client’s life, passions, or hobbies.
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As part of the design process, Fred creates a final paintup of the completed design – whilst a necessity for him to work from whilst enamelling, these are true masterpieces in themselves. This design for a vase commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers to celebrate the millennium, shows the vase and enamelled design laid out in three sections which is actually the complete design around the whole vase. |
| However, Fred keeps the originals of these paintings.(click image for enlarged view) | |
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In 2000 Fred set up a partnership with Adrian Butcher, and they operate the partnership under the name of Fred Rich Enamel Design. This partnership required a new hallmark, incorporating the initials of the company – FRED. It can be said that, in every respect, Fred’s name is truly stamped on each piece of work!
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Fred is involved in the making of each and every piece. He employs some of the finest outworker silversmiths, spinners, and polishers as the pieces demand. With such a small workforce, combined with the fact that the larger pieces can take many months of painstaking and arduous work, results in a very limited output. This means that not only does Fred have complete control over the quality of the workmanship, but particularly with the large enamelled silverware, each piece is quite unique, to be treasured by the client and generations to come.
It could be said that to commission a piece of work from Fred Rich is to own a museum piece of the future.