AMMONITE: CUTLERY INSPIRED BY THE NATURAL WORLD
Ammonite Bright cutlery was designed by Robert Welch and is inspired by the natural spiral of the fossil.
1985, design for unique ammonite pendant, mounted in silver.
“Robert spent many hours drawing from nature, an understanding which formed the basis for the pure and perfect shapes and curves that were the trademark of his designs.”
Alice Welch, Chairwoman
1985, design for unique ammonite pendant, mounted in silver.
“Robert spent many hours drawing from nature, an understanding which formed the basis for the pure and perfect shapes and curves that were the trademark of his designs.”
Alice Welch, Chairwoman
Robert designed Ammonite Bright in the early 1990s not long after he was personally commissioned by Sir David Attenborough to mount several ammonites in silver.
The cutlery continues to make a distinctive addition to any table. Made from the finest quality 18/10 stainless steel, the range is part of Collection 3.5.
The distinctive shape of the design shows a clear reverence for the fossil it takes its name from but, as with all of Robert Welch’s designs, inspiration did not impose on functionality.
While each piece within the set features the nautilus shell-shape spiral on the side of each handle every knife, fork and spoon it is perfectly weighted and balanced.
RWO.1.1.2.2.013 Sterling silver salt cellar, chased with linear design. Not hallmarked, piece was completed within exam time limit to a finished state.
Sketches showing general principle of mounting ammonite fossils in silver.
SCALLOP SHELL SALT CELLAR
Robert Welch Archivist Charlotte Booth reflects on some of Robert’s earlier designs which feature fossils.
“In the archive is a silver salt cellar that was handmade by Robert Welch in summer 1952 as his final exam piece for the National Diploma in Design at Birmingham College of Art, School of Silversmithing and Jewellery.
“It includes the earliest example of the ammonite spiral which would inspire a number of other designs, from jewellery to cutlery. The motif appears throughout his sketchbooks, and abstracted spiral fluting was used as decoration on stainless steel, silver, glass and wrought iron.
“Robert spent many hours collecting forms from nature, displaying the distinctive items he picked up in his Cotswold home and studio. Several remain in the archive and include fossils, driftwood, bones, eggs, stones, and shells, all smoothed by exposure, transformed by pressure, or weathered into new objects.”
TURN A HOUSE A HOME
Since 1955, we’ve crafted exquisite stainless-steel pieces for every room in the home.
From cutlery to cookware, kitchen knives to bathroom accessories, our timeless designs bring effortless style to everyday living. Meticulously designed for form and function, you can be sure whatever you choose is both beautiful and useful.
And wherever life takes them, our lifetime guarantee means your housewarming gift is made to move with them, wherever they call home.
RWO.1.1.2.2.013 Sterling silver salt cellar, chased with linear design. Not hallmarked, piece was completed within exam time limit to a finished state.
Sketches showing general principle of mounting ammonite fossils in silver.
SCALLOP SHELL SALT CELLAR
Robert Welch Archivist Charlotte Booth reflects on some of Robert’s earlier designs which feature fossils.
“In the archive is a silver salt cellar that was handmade by Robert Welch in summer 1952 as his final exam piece for the National Diploma in Design at Birmingham College of Art, School of Silversmithing and Jewellery.
“It includes the earliest example of the ammonite spiral which would inspire a number of other designs, from jewellery to cutlery. The motif appears throughout his sketchbooks, and abstracted spiral fluting was used as decoration on stainless steel, silver, glass and wrought iron.
“Robert spent many hours collecting forms from nature, displaying the distinctive items he picked up in his Cotswold home and studio. Several remain in the archive and include fossils, driftwood, bones, eggs, stones, and shells, all smoothed by exposure, transformed by pressure, or weathered into new objects.”
RWO.2.2.2.18.021 Five sliced and polished ammonites and one partly treated ammonite fossil. Remainder of those used in production of silver pendants.
Photostat of pyritised ammonite, showing exposed hollow chambers coated with tiny crystals of pyrite
RWA/1/3/d/3/232 Ammonite pendant, set into textured rectangular setting. Shop stock item c.1970s
WHAT DOES AMMONITE MEAN?
An ammonite is an extinct type of marine animal that lived millions of years ago. They belonged to a group of sea creatures related to modern octopuses, squids, and nautiluses.
The word usually refers to their fossilised spiral-shaped shells often resembling a tightly coiled ram’s horn. The shells are divided into chambers, and many are beautifully patterned and commonly found as fossils in rock.
Today, ammonite can mean either the animal itself or, more commonly, the fossil that is revealed within a piece of stone or removed, polished and mounted as a piece of jewellery.
WHAT DOES AMMONITE MEAN?
An ammonite is an extinct type of marine animal that lived millions of years ago. They belonged to a group of sea creatures related to modern octopuses, squids, and nautiluses.
The word usually refers to their fossilised spiral-shaped shells often resembling a tightly coiled ram’s horn. The shells are divided into chambers, and many are beautifully patterned and commonly found as fossils in rock.
Today, ammonite can mean either the animal itself or, more commonly, the fossil that is revealed within a piece of stone or removed, polished and mounted as a piece of jewellery.
RWO.2.2.2.18.021 Five sliced and polished ammonites and one partly treated ammonite fossil. Remainder of those used in production of silver pendants.
Photostat of pyritised ammonite, showing exposed hollow chambers coated with tiny crystals of pyrite
RWA/1/3/d/3/232 Ammonite pendant, set into textured rectangular setting. Shop stock item c.1970s