This is a large copper charger designed and made by Ann Robin Banks.
Ann Robin Banks was born in Brentford and spent her early years in London before moving to the Glencloy farmouse, Arran in 1974 (where she created her studio). In London she made murals in collaboration with the Australian painter, Sidney Nolan.
Ann never had any formal training, going straight from school to work. She began working life as a photographer in the 1950s and worked with Anthony Armstrong Jones. Bit her interest soon turned to creating murals and these large glass fused enamel copper dishes. She worked on a large scale on sculptural pieces and large dishes – until the price of copper made it to expensive an art form to pursue.
Her long association with Scotland began with holiday visits to Arran, where her grandparents always spent their summers in Lochranza. On Arran, Ann had two kilns – ones for larger pieces and the other for smaller works – but she tended to concentrate on her smaller pieces. These were sold in a variety of galleries and venues in Edinburgh and London. One of these large enamel copper dishes was presented to the Princess Royal during a visit to Arran in the 1970s.
Ann spent the rest of her life working on Arran and lived at High Glencloy for over 30 years, continuing to work there up to a year or two before her death in 2007. She is buried in Sannox cemetery , her headstone created by Arran artist Tim Pomeroy.
This outstanding enamel charger (not signed) is typical of her work both in scale and decoration. The dish is made of copper coated with a black enamel and abstract silver pattern - it is very shiny - the black is so glossy. It is in excellent condition - here are no scratches or marks to the black enamel - and no nicks, chips or dents to the copper.
The reverse of the dish - is also beautifully decorated with an applied pattern - it has a beautiful and subtle patina of age to it. The back of the dish is probably just as carefully worked and decorated as the design on the front.
Her work does not come on the market so frequently these days - and it is still to attract specialist interest by collectors of modern design. It is listed at a fair price. The large copper plate would look fabulous on a big wooden plate stand and on display in a modernist contemporary interior.
I have taken lots of images for your inspection - it was a little difficult to photograph as the black enamel was just so reflective.
My art piece will be sent to you insured with Parcelforce24 - this will be applied to your order at the checkout.