HARRY KELL
1881 - 1958
Harry Kell (born Henry Albert Kell) remains the greatest of early gun engravers and among many of his masterpieces, the guns for H.M. The Queen's doll house and those for King George V's Jubilee, both miniatures, stand as some of his most intriguing achievements.
細節
Harry Kell (born Henry Albert Kell) remains the greatest of early gun engravers and among many of his masterpieces, the guns for H.M. The Queen's doll house and those for King George V's Jubilee, both miniatures, stand as some of his most intriguing achievements.
Whilst much of his work is unsigned and only occasional mention of it is made in gunmaker's records, his style and that of his workshop, is unmistakeable. It consists of the fine and meticulous execution of bouquets and scrolls and his birds and big-game animals, whilst sometimes appearing to be naive in their portrayal, are perfectly cut. It is a great testament to his skill and to the 'English style' of gun engraving, with its emphasis upon creating engraving that will last, that many of the guns engraved by him remain crisp and clear in appearance today, having seen many thousands of hours of shooting.
Best gun engraving at the beginning of this century was, and it still is, an immensely skilled occupation, but its greatest differentiating characteristic was that it was carried on by workshops rather than by isolated individuals as it is today. (3)
Whilst much of his work is unsigned and only occasional mention of it is made in gunmaker's records, his style and that of his workshop, is unmistakeable. It consists of the fine and meticulous execution of bouquets and scrolls and his birds and big-game animals, whilst sometimes appearing to be naive in their portrayal, are perfectly cut. It is a great testament to his skill and to the 'English style' of gun engraving, with its emphasis upon creating engraving that will last, that many of the guns engraved by him remain crisp and clear in appearance today, having seen many thousands of hours of shooting.
Best gun engraving at the beginning of this century was, and it still is, an immensely skilled occupation, but its greatest differentiating characteristic was that it was carried on by workshops rather than by isolated individuals as it is today. (3)