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Sheffield Artisan Warren Martin Honored with Prestigious Royal Mint Award for Endangered Metalwork Tradition
Photo: Robert Wade for The Heritage Crafts
Sheffield's Last Young Silver Spinner Wins Prestigious Award
"In Sheffield, I'm just another spinner, there's nothing particularly special about what I do. If you look at the history of the craft, we see it a lot in Sheffield that a lot of Master Craftsmen go to their graves without passing their skills on and for me that's very sad. I hope that what I do and my skill set is reminder that if we don't invest and preserve these traditional crafts they will go extinct and if I end up being the last silver spinner that is what I want my legacy to be."
Martin's mastery of silver spinning—a critically endangered craft—places him among the last practitioners of this specialized technique in Sheffield, a city renowned for its metalworking heritage. As one of only two silver spinners under 50 in the country, his work is vital to preserving this traditional craft for future generations.
The art of silver spinning transforms flat silver discs into elegant hollow forms using a lathe and specialized tools. It's a craft that demands not just technical skill, but an intimate understanding of the material itself.
The award ceremony, held at Eltham Palace on November 26, also recognized two other outstanding finalists: Kitty Griffiths, a goldsmith specializing in stone setting, and Epona Smith, a silversmith and hand engraver who teaches in London and Birmingham.
Why This Matters
This recognition comes at a crucial time when traditional crafts face the challenge of survival in our modern world. Silver spinning, in particular, plays an essential role in creating some of the world's most prestigious sporting trophies, yet its future hangs in the balance. Heritage Crafts' ongoing commitment to supporting and celebrating these endangered skills helps ensure that traditional craftsmanship remains vibrant and relevant for future generations.
"The thing with spinning is that it is learned through feeling, and you have to learn to feel the material via your armpit which is where the tool is placed... it's a full body process."
Looking Forward
As we celebrate Martin's achievement, we're reminded of the urgent need to support and preserve traditional crafts. His award not only recognizes individual excellence but also highlights the importance of passing these skills on to the next generation of craftspeople.
In a celebration of Britain's endangered crafts, Sheffield-based artisan Warren George Martin has been named Precious Metalworker of the Year 2024 by Heritage Crafts. The award, supported by The Royal Mint, recognizes outstanding contributions to metalworking and includes a £2,000 prize.
Further Reading & Resources
Learn more about Heritage Crafts and their work preserving traditional skills at www.heritagecrafts.org.uk
Explore their Red List of Endangered Crafts to understand which traditional skills are at risk
Watch Warren Martin demonstrate silver spinning on Sheffield Museums' YouTube channel
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