Art Funded by you

Tourmaline Pendant and Big Question Teapot

Graham Stewart, 2009; 2018

Graham Stewart, Big Question Teapot, 2018, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Art Funded 2021
© ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL (ARCHIVES, GALLERY & MUSEUMS).

The renowned Scottish designer and silversmith Graham Stewart briefly worked as an apprentice with the jeweller Norman Grant before completing his training at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen.

In 1978, he set up his workshop in Dunblane, soon becoming known for hisinnovative, clean- lined sculptural pieces, including jugs, bowls and presentation objects, often finely engraved. 

Big Question Teapot (pictured) is a distinctive piece made by Stewart in hammered silver with a walnut handle and finial. Its shape is inspired by historic bullet-form teapots of the 18th century, several of which feature in Aberdeen Art Gallery’s collection. The quirky handle in the form of a question mark reflects Stewart’s singular approach to design. 

In addition to his larger pieces, Stewart also designed a small range of jewellery. He made the tourmaline pendant himself, hand-carving the intricate pattern and setting the individual stones. 

These two pieces now join the applied art and jewellery collections at Aberdeen Art Gallery, which include 24 silver teapots dating from the early 18th century to 2012, along with 49 pendant-style jewellery pieces, dating mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. 

 

More information

Title of artwork, date

Tourmaline Pendant and Big Question Teapot, 2009; 2018

Date supported

2021

Medium and material

18-carat white- and yellow-gold pendant set with faceted green tourmaline and 25 diamonds, suspended from an 18-carat gold neck chain; silver, walnut

Dimensions

Pendant 5.8 x 3.5 x 1.2cm, gold chain length 45cm; 29.5cm, height 19cm, diameter 9.5cm

Grant

9500

Total cost

24500

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