Francis Cargeeg
Francis Cargeeg | |
---|---|
Copperware |
Francis Bertram Cargeeg (14 September 1893 – 25 March 1981) known also as Tan Dyvarow ("Undying Fire" in Cornish) was a Cornish coppersmith.
Early life
Francis Cargeeg was born in Carnsew, Hayle, Cornwall, England, UK. He was the second youngest of eight children born to William and Emma Cargeeg between 1878 and 1897.
Frank's father was originally a
After his initial schooling Frank became an apprentice at
After just one voyage he left the vessel on medical grounds. Thereafter he became employed in HM Dockyard, Devonport. In 1939 he decided to leave his safe employment at this large facility and become self-employed as an artist in hand-beaten copper ware. Unfortunately, World War II intervened preventing him from carrying out his dream, instead he found himself employed in a new factory in Hayle producing dibromoethane, an additive used in petrol allowing higher compression ratios to be used in the most modern aircraft engines of the time - such as the Merlin.
After the war he worked in Pool's of Hayle (J. & F. Pool Ltd) for a few years finally realising his dream of full-time employment in copperware in the late 1940s. At this time Cornwall had a history of copperware, beginning with Newlyn Copper in the late 19th century.
At this time he lived with his wife, Winifred, whom he married in September 1919, and his unmarried sister Holly in her cottage, Trevean, at Mellanear Road, Hayle.
Career
For the next 30 years or so he worked from his small workshop here producing bowls, plates, mirror surrounds and vases in copper, using only hand tools and other simple equipment. All of his designs followed images based on the products of the ancient Celts – particularly those of the
Between 1939 and 1970, Cargeeg was asked by the council of the
He exhibited pieces at the
A line attributed to Cargeeg helps explain the fewnes of the works he produced: "I deliberately limit my output to a small range of styles and sizes in order that I can master my art." Additionally, some of the complicated items took a year or more to make. His very best works, he was "loath to see them pass into other hands" (The West Briton 1970). As described in a West Briton interview "one fine vase, with separate moulded lid" (shown on this page) was kept part of his personal collection, and never sold (The West Briton 1970).
The last few years of his life were non-productive due to the onset of age-related degeneration. He died on the 25 March 1981 and is buried in St Erth, Cornwall.
References
- ^ Francis Cargeeg Cornwall Artists Index[permanent dead link]
- ^ Grand Bard's Crown
- ^ "Gorseth Kernow: List of Deputy Grand Bards". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
- ^ Soskernow – Friends of Kernow
- ^ Penlee House Museum
Further reading
- Pill, Colin (2011) Cornish Art Metalwork. Bristol: Sansom & Co. ISBN 978-1-906593-58-2; pp. 24-35, 104-113