Frederick James Partridge (c.1877–1946) (known as Fred Partridge, works signed "FJP") was an English jeweller, silversmith and teacher of jewellery making, active circa 1901–1930.[1] His works are in the Art Nouveau style. He has been called the "British René Lalique".[2]
He was born in Barnstaple, North Devon, the son of David Partridge (a pharmacist) and his wife Mary Ann Hunt.[3] His elder sister Ethel Mairet (1872-1952) (née Partridge)[4] was a notable weaver, textile designer and dyer who wrote several books on hand-weaving.[1]
He studied at Birmingham Municipal School of Art[5] where he shared lodgings with Henry Payne, painter and stained glass designer. After two years (c.1907-9) teaching at the Camberwell School of Art[6] in London and spending time at the Barnstaple Guild of Metalwork[7] and at the Guild and School of Handicraft in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire (established as a community of artists and craftspeople by the arts and crafts architect Charles Robert Ashbee), where his sister Ethel also studied,[8] he established himself as an artist and art jeweller, at some time before 1911[1] and worked from a studio in Dean Street,[7] London. Amongst his clients was the department store Liberty & Co[7] in Regent Street, London.
His wife, May Hart Partridge (born c.1881 in Harborne, Staffordshire - died 1917), was an art enameller who studied at the Birmingham School of Art.[9] She was "the most notorious pupil of Arthur Gaskin".[10] Her works are mainly in the Arts and Crafts style. She later worked at London County Council schools and at home.[11] [1] [10]
Two of Fred Partridge's works from 1928 are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, a brooch (M.14-1976) and a ring (M.15-1976), the latter of silver set with a baguette amethyst, made for his daughter Joan.[12] A brooch (c.1930) (1981M400) is in the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery.[1]