
Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
Sold for £3,750 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistHead of Knightsbridge Silver Department
ROBERT RADFORD WELCH RDI MBE (1929 – 2000)
Born in Hereford in 1929. Served in the Royal Air Force and after the Second World War he attended Malvern School of Art. Trained as a silversmith at the Birmingham College of Art under Cyril Shiner and R. G. Baxendale. Between 1952 and 1955 he studied at the Royal College of Art under Professor Robert Goodden and was a contemporary of Gerald Benney.
On graduating in 1955, Welch became a product designer and set up a workshop in Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire. The Silk Mill premises he found had been the home of C. R. Ashbee's Guild of Handicraft. Here Welch produced one off pieces and special commissions.
In 1964, Welch produced a very successful range of domestic silver for Heals. Five years later he decided to open his studio shop. Also in this year he was elected a Royal Designer for Industry.