John Paul Cooper

 

John Paul Cooper made a significant contribution to the development of Arts & Crafts silver, metalwork and jewellery. His approach to decoration was magnificent and unusual. He used materials such as coconut shell, ostrich egg and shagreen (shark's skin) in combination with gold, silver, copper and semi-precious stones to create intricate and fanciful pieces inspired by natural forms, medieval architecture, myths and ancient symbols. As a craftsman he was painstaking and a perfectionist. He wanted to master techniques and understand the nature of the materials he was working with.

 

He died in May 1933 and a retrospective exhibition of his work was held at Leicester City Museum in October that year.