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Sterling Silver Wine Coaster "Wild Mushrooms" Designed and Hand Made By American Silversmith Robert Butler. 

These wine coasters were designed in extreme high relief repoussé, the slow art of pushing metal in order to create dimension without having to carve it or apply castings or appliqués. In these coasters, Mr. Butler has created deep crevices of shadow as well as high peaks of texture. The work speaks as much of patience as well as skill. “Wild Mushrooms” was inspired by the work of botanical watercolorist Jessica Tcherepnine. It features 13 different species of wild mushrooms forming a circle of 37 individual mushrooms against a background of fallen leaves. The coasters have a combination oxidized and high polish finish with a gilt interior. The bases are hand-turned Brazilian cherry (a renewable wood). Dimensions: 5.5” w. x 2.5” h. Weight: 16 oz. (base 3 oz.).

The workshop of R.A. Butler, Silversmith specializes in fine sterling silver for the home. Using traditional methods, Mr. Butler is known for intricate and original hand-made designs that look to nature for inspiration.

R.A. Butler has been smithing for over 25 years. He was trained in London’s Clerkenwell district, the historic home of English silversmithing. He specializes in repoussé, the art of pushing metal in order to create dimension; the ancient art of hand-raising, that of taking a flat sheet of silver and, using only hammer and fire, shaping it into a hollow vessel; and wax modeling, being able to shape three dimensional forms from a solid block of material. His clients exclusively have been private collectors.

The pieces you see are a select new line of limited hand-made production based on Mr. Butler’s designs and finished to the exacting standards of an artist whose pride is in his work. These pieces are a hybrid mixture of traditional smithing techniques and high-end art castings of Mr. Butler’s original pieces. Because of the complex nature of the designs, they require a great deal of hand work before they leave the workshop.

Mr. Butler’s work represents his desire to wed beautiful design with fine craftsmanship. Although his pieces are romantic in concept, they are made to be used and enjoyed.

Pieces of Mr. Butler's works can be found at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Designer: Rober Butler
Maker: Robert Butler
Design #: N/A
Circa: 1990's
Dimensions: 2.5"H x 5.5"W
Country of Origin: USA