Art and Scientific Manufacture: A Collaboration ‘A journey of research in action: the commission - a palladium claret jug’ Created by the British master craftsman Martyn Pugh; it is reputedly the largest decorative use of palladium to date. This jug continues Pugh’s challenging tradition of seamlessly dovetailing design, alloys, production and master skill, to produce what appears to be, an effortlessly elegant object. This deceptive elegance belies the enormous learning curve of creativity and innovation that brought this object to life. The brief required a matching palladium jug to accompany the existing ‘pure’ gold sister jug. Although the shape of the jug was the same, there were questions regarding which palladium alloys should be used for various components; who had the experience; would existing knowledge of working palladium be applicable or were there limitations in working with palladium on this scale (360mm high)?Pugh’s manufacturing decisions were informed by researching all possible options to determine the least risk approach. [caption id="attachment_2358" align="alignleft" width="225"] Martyn Pugh Silversmith[/caption] The metallurgical demands of pure palladium and its alloys required a different manufacturing approach from those used for the gold jug and new lessons were learnt. The jug was completed in the autumn of 2011 and had its debut at Goldsmiths’ Fair London, before being placed with its sister in the client’s private collection. All Welcome please BOOK a place, Contact Yanyan Wang:[e]  yanyan.wang@bcu.ac.uk [t]  0121 331 7823 Date:  Wednesday 21 November 2012 Times: 1700–1900   Venue: Lecture Theatre, School of Jewellery, Vittoria Street,Birmingham B1 3PA

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