Bernhardt Beatrice (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 2nd.

Student sketchbook of English jewellery designer Beatrice Bernhardt, containing designs for necklaces, pewter boxes, pendants, silverwork, and cloisonné enamel rendered in ink, pencil, and watercolour. The sketchbook is stamped with the name of St. Albans School of Art and Craft, now the University of Hertfordshire: the simply constructed cloth binding suggests the work of a student bindery. The detailed designs recorded in this book reflect Bernhardt's careful attention to dimensions, decoration, and methods of construction, indicating where a delicate clasp is "to be soldered in position" or "cross in cloisonné silver to be riveted." Bernhardt's skilful watercolour technique gives her opals, pearls, and cloisonné elements a lifelike faceting and luminescence. The rough drawings laid into the sketchbook represent studies for some of the finished designs. A small laid-in photograph of a woman wearing a necklace and brooch very much in the style of these designs is likely a portrait of the artist herself, folded into an indenture of lease on which the Bernhardt name is printed. The British and Irish Furniture Makers Online, a division of The Furniture Historical Society, confirms that Beatrice Bernhardt attended the St. Albans School of Art and Craft in the early 1900s. Their holdings contain the catalogue of the Arts and Crafts Society Ninth Exhibition of 1910, which lists an "enamel pearl and gold pendant" designed by her. Bernhardt was in good company at the exhibition which included other jewellery pieces in the same display case by Phoebe Anne Traquair. A well-preserved sketchbook by an accomplished young female jewellery and metalwork designer of the Edwardian era. Beatrice later married and qualified as a doctor. Who's Who in Hertfordshire (1936) lists Beatrice as follows: "Clinical Assistant, Skin Department, Royal Infirmary, (Edinburgh), 1922; Divisional Surgeon St. John's Ambulance Brigade, St. Albans (Verulam) Nursing Division, 1933; Vice-President (1934) and Vice-Chairman of St. Albans Debating Society, 1935. Member of St. Albans and Herts. Archaeological Society. Member of National Council of Women. Member of St. Albans Medical Association. Several Medals, prizes, certificates, etc., for Art and Craft work. Exhibitor "Arts and Crafts" Exhibition, London. Recreations.- Literature, Art, Music, Gardening." Single volume, measuring 9.5 x 5 inches: [48]. Contemporary (likely original) tan slubbed linen, upper cover titled in white: "St. Albans School of Art and Craft." 23 pages of original designs in ink, graphite, and watercolour, many captioned; two pages of later portrait sketches. Ownership signature of "Beatrice C. Bernhardt" to front pastedown. Laid in: 12.5 x 8 inch folded sheet with designs on recto and verso, eight clippings of designs, and one unevenly cut photographic portrait, presumably of Beatrice Bernhardt, folded into a printed document. Light soiling and shelf wear, ink smudge at top front cover.