Elizabeth Haselwood facts for kids
Elisabeth Haselwood (born around 1644 – died 1715) was a talented English silversmith. She is the only woman silversmith known to have worked in the city of Norwich.
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Elisabeth Haselwood: A Trailblazing Silversmith
Learning the Silversmith's Art
Elisabeth came from a well-known family of silversmiths in Norwich. She learned how to create beautiful silver items from her husband, Arthur Haselwood II.
Taking Over the Family Business
Her husband passed away in 1684. After his death, Elisabeth registered her own special silver mark. This mark showed that the silver pieces were made by her workshop. Even though she likely had other skilled workers helping, every piece from her workshop had her personal stamp.
Elisabeth's workshop was one of the biggest businesses in Norwich in the late 1600s. She later passed the management of the workshop to her son, Arthur Haselwood III. Elisabeth and her husband are buried together in the Church of St Andrew in Norwich.
Famous Silver Pieces
Some of Elisabeth Haselwood's amazing silver creations still exist today.
- A special oval tobacco box, made around 1695, has her unique hallmark. This box is now owned by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. It is the oldest silver item in their collection.
- A silver cup, called a beaker, from her workshop is part of the Royal Collection. It was given to Queen Elizabeth II in 1968.
In total, about fifteen church items and twenty-nine everyday items made by her workshop have survived over the centuries.
