Silver Studio

History

The Silver Studio was founded by Arthur Silver in 1880. In 1901 Silver's son Reginald (Rex) Silver took over the studio and ran it until 1962. As Designer-Manager, Rex's role was to understand the requirements of the Studio's clients.

For its final year of operation, 1963, Rex's studio was run by Frank Price textile designer, a designer of importance. He had worked twice at the Silver Studio, firstly, for a period before the Second World War 1922 to 1935, leaving to a partnership with G.R. Kingbourne. Later he became chief designer at Arthur Sanderson & Sons. This job ended during the War, when Sandersons were bombed out, at which point he rejoined the Silver Studio, in 1941.

From 1953 to 1963, Frank Price was the only working designer, though Rex continued to manage the business until it closed in 1963.

Subsequently, Mary Peerless (Rex Silver's step-daughter) inherited the contents of the Studio from Rex, and gifted the majority of items to Hornsey College of Art.

Background to the collection

After the Silver Studio closed in the early 1960s the contents were given to the Hornsey College of Art by Mary Peerless, step daughter of Rex Silver the head of the Silver Studio. Hornsey became part of what is now Middlesex University. From this point, the contents of the Studio became a ‘Collection’, and it now forms the core of the Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture, (MoDA), Middlesex University.

The Silver Studio Collection was awarded Designated status in 2008, in recognition of its national and international quality and significance. Along with the other collections at the Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture, the Silver Studio Collection is well used as a resource for students, researchers and the wider public.