Anne [Annie] Grisdale Stubbs was married to Thomas Birkett and was the mother of the furniture designer and craftsman, Hugh Birkett (1919-2002). Thomas was a member of the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft and a partner of the Faukner Bronze Co. manufacturing metal work in the arts and crafts tradition. In 1902 the firm took over the comparable business 'Rathbone' two years later it was rebranded as Jesson Birkett & Co.

Annie studied at the Margaret Street School of Art. Later she produced designs for both Jesson Birket & Co and the Silversmiths A. E. Jones. She was awarded a gold medal by the board of Education at South Kensington in 1907 for a carved ivory box subsequently bequeathed to Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery. Her Sister Kathleen Stubbs was a talented book Binder exhibited regularly in Birmingham.

Her work is characterized by these intricate strapwork designs and her earlier pieces were enhanced by blue/green pottery roundels such as you see here, made by Ruskin pottery. The copper patination was from a process developed by F.W. Salthouse before 1900.

English – Circa 1905-1910

Box is 4 ½ inches high and 4 inches square

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