Topic: Peter Layton signed perfume bottle - but who is A S or A J Clarke?

[jakgene]

I just received this gorgeous iridescent perfume bottle bought recently here in Australia. The seller had highlighted the signature of A S Clarke - or possibly A J Clarke - on selling. However on just trying to take some photos to post here I have also found a signature to the base of Peter Layton - which looks to me identical to the authenticated ones on this site. How excited was I 

The perfume bottle has a silver butterfly stopper - hallmarked - as far as I can tell from my Googled research - Northern Goldsmiths, Edinburgh,  1979 . See photo.

So - is it an early Peter Layton piece? - stopper seems to fit well so looks original - if that is 1979 presumably so is the glass?  And who is Clarke? I wondered if he/she perhaps made the stopper? although it would seem odd to engrave the glass with that signature - why not engrave the stopper?

I am thrilled - never thought I could afford a Peter Layton piece - I must have been good at some time  :angel: and this is payback.

Would appreciate any information about this piece - and confirmation that i am not dreaming......

JAK

[jakgene]

sorry - forgot the size

Base is smooth but not polished - just dull looking

8 cm (or 3 1/4 inches)  tall without stopper - stopper fits in quite deeply so adds only about 1 cm to height when fitted.
The colours are much more bluey silvery amethysty pinky  in reality than it appears in the photos - it is not nearly as amber looking as it appears.

Silver and enamelled butterfly top is quite tarnished - the silver looks black - should I clean it or leave it ? anyone know?

JAK

[Greg.]

Hi Jak,

I would presume the A J Clarke is probably N S Clarke. Norman Stuart Clarke who is a key British studio glass artist. I believe that Norman worked with Peter Layton quite a few years ago, which would probably tie in with your piece, in some way a joint collaboration I would Imagine.

Nice item, hope this helps.

Greg

[chopin-liszt]

The signature looks okay-ish for Norman Stuart Clarke - I've just compared it with two I have - which are both slightly different - this fits in nicely with them though.

[jakgene]

Thanks Greg and Sue. I will look up NS Clarke. - does having both signatures make it more interesting?

Also realised I didn't post the hallmark photo.

JAK

[chopin-liszt]

The hallmark should give you the year - it also appears to have maker's initials NC on it - for Norman Clarke?
Personally, I prefer things with Norman Stuart Clarke on them to things with Peter Layton on them. 
I have a belief that I'm holding something actually made by the signatory, not just designed.

[jakgene]

Yes Sue - I have identified the hallmark  - appears to be Edinburgh 1979. makers mark looks like NG rather than NC. There is a metalsmith company called Northern Goldsmiths - and the lettering looks like their mark.

So I am a little confused now - who would have made this ? Layton or Clarke? or would it be a collaborative effort as suggested earlier?

Found a signed N S Clarke paperweight just sold on Ebay  - but the signature on that doesn't look anything like this one?
And if Clarke and Layton were both south of England  based how come an Edinburgh hallmark ?

I am more confused by the minute here 

JAK

[chopin-liszt]

The date might help you to find out if it was likely to have had Peter Layton's hand in it - if you can find out when he went from making stuff himself to getting others to do it - try writing to him or NSC about it?

Silver can be added to things at any time after they're made, the hallmark only tells you where and when it was assayed.
(I avoid things with silver stuck on them, sorry, not much use here)

[Frank]

Peter Layton's first studio was in Scotland. Ask him about it as I would guess this was probably made in Scotland - so quite a significant find indeed!!!! :rah:

[jakgene]

Thanks Frank - if you are excited then I definitely am!

I have emailed some photos and a link to this to Peter Layton and will pass on any reply I get.
Thanks

JAK