City’s Lord Mayor and the goblet of desire

A DRINKING goblet designed for civic ceremonies and commissioned by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield was unveiled yesterday as part of the launch of the city’s Galvanize Sheffield festival.

The drinking vessel was designed by Michelle Clare, a metalwork and jewellery graduate from Sheffield Hallam University, and funded by the JG Graves Trust.

Ms Clare said one of the aims of her piece was to create a drinking vessel that was also a conversation starter and could help guests relax at formal civic events.

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The 42-year-old said: “Sheffield is characterised not only by its fame as a centre of the metal industries but also by its people. Its reputation as a friendly place is well-founded.

“For these reasons the item I have produced reflects the character of the people and expresses the warmth and friendliness to be found within the city, as well as being a functioning item to be used at civic occasions.”

Ms Clare’s work was selected through Galvanize Sheffield’s “graduate commission”, which gives recent metalwork graduates from around the UK an opportunity to produce an object to be added to the Sheffield civic collection.

This year invitations to take part in the commission were sent out to five universities beyond Sheffield.

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Jackie Drayton, a trustee of the JG Graves Trust, said: “JG Graves had a history of supporting the arts in Sheffield and the trustees are proud to continue his work.

“The Galvanize commission gives the trust a wonderful opportunity to support new talent whilst building on the traditional elements of metalworking that Sheffield is famous for, heritage and innovation.

“The creation of new work by emergent makers is important to the festival and the panel were impressed by the standard of work from the finalists.

“We are delighted that the spotlight is firmly focused on Sheffield with a Sheffield Hallam graduate producing the commission.

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“It is a stunning object and delightful new addition to the civic collection.”

Galvanize Sheffield is the city’s month-long annual festival to celebrate contemporary metal design and showcase Sheffield’s thriving metal trades and traditions.

Describing her work, Ms Clare said: “I am fascinated by the history of Sheffield’s silver industry and my work is in part inspired by the traditional hollowware produced here.

“I work by rearranging the traditional forms to produce hand-raised items in Britannia silver. My aim is to produce objects that remain faithful to the heritage of silversmithing in their function, while striving for a contemporary design. “

Galvanise Sheffield was launched last week and runs until Sunday, April 24.