New Acquisition Spotlight: Karl Kipp Copper Plaque

In anticipation of the upcoming exhibition Dignity and Grace: These Humbler Metals, the Two Red Roses Foundation recently acquired a large, solid, copper plaque, made by the designer Karl Kipp (1882–1954). Measuring 4-feet x 2-feet, this piece was custom-made for Jean Kerr and Alice Charlesworth’s East Aurora, NY home, called “Harmony Castle.” Jean Kerr and Alice Charlesworth were employees at Roycroft and were famous for their Maple Pecan Patties, available via mail order from The Fra, Roycroft’s self-published magazine. The plaque’s quote, an ode to the sanctity of home reads:

"Whoeer thou art entereth here
forget the struggling world
and every trembling fear.
 
Take from thy heart each evil thought
and all that selfishness
within thy life has wrought.
 
Fur once inside this place thou'lt find
no barter, no servants' fear,
nor master's voice unkind.
 
Here all are kin to God above,
thou too, dear heart, and here
the rule of life and love."

Arts and Crafts metalsmiths worked primarily in copper, the preferred metal of the movement in America because it was relatively easy to work with and evoked America’s colonial past. An Austrian designer and former banker, Kipp was one of the most influential designers and craftsman during his time at the Roycroft Shops. Later, he started the Tookay Shop where some of the finest metalwork of the Arts and Crafts movement was produced. See this and other examples of Kipps work in the TRRF collection on display in our galleries and in the soon to open exhibition These Humbler Metals.