Major Commissions
THE GOLDSMITHS’ COMPANY ROSEWATER DISH
Rosewater Mountain Burn Dish created for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths Collection
The Mountain Burn Rosewater dish was commissioned by the Goldsmiths’ Company to celebrate the Lord Sutherland’s time as Prime Warden. The dish depicts the majestic flowing lines of the Scottish mountain burns (highland rivers) carving life and movement through rock.
Rauni was among one of the first women to make a piece that forms part of the Contemporary Buffet, a tiered display in the Livery Hall at Goldsmiths’ Hall that displays the Company’s ceremonial plate and a challenge she set both technically and creatively.
The design is inspired by the late Lord Sutherland’s beloved Scottish Highland landscape, and the fast flowing ‘Mountain Burns’, small rivers and streams. The ‘water’ cuts across and flows around the well of the dish, at first choppy and constrained, then opening out into an energetic flow.
Rosewater dishes are passed along a dining table, filled with scented water, for guests to refresh themselves by dipping a napkin. For this reason they usually have a rise in the centre, to prevent the water from slopping and spilling, as they are moved along.
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, more commonly known as the Goldsmiths’ Company, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London and received its first royal charter in 1327.
The purpose of the Goldsmiths’ Company is to contribute to national life by supporting craftspeople, protecting consumers and working with charitable partners to help people improve their lives.
In the Workshop: Rauni Higson
By the Goldsmiths’ Company
If you would like to find out more about the commissioning process, Rauni would be delighted to have an informal no-obligation chat. You can also find more information here.
