A Shop Filled with the Finer Things of Life
All that glitters is not gold—some is silver, and most of that can be found in Alastair Crawford’s new shop at 7 South Beach Street.
Crawford has been working with silver since age 19, and has traded in the U.K., in Canada, Hong Kong, the U.S., and Australia. Over the years, he has distinguished himself as the premier source for and expert on fine silver.
Alastair Crawford, LLC, specializes in vintage items that were all originally handmade in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the Georg Jensen Company is based, by master craftsmen to exacting and uncompromising standards. It is the most widely collected silverware in the world. In addition to dealing in vintage Georg Jensen silver and jewelry, Alastair Crawford, LLC is the largest importer for new silver holloware and flatware purchased wholesale from The Georg Jensen Company, Denmark. It is, Crawford explains “the finest silver in the world...Georg Jensen is the most collected brand—more than Tiffany, more than Christofle.”
Crawford exhibited on Nantucket for three years, developing a loyal clientele here, before opening his first shop on Old South Wharf last summer. His move to South Beach Street this season gave him more space to show his stunning wares that include Georg Jensen Holloware, Flatware, and Jewelry. Pieces include graceful pitchers, gorgeous bowls, detailed candelabras, and more. The additional space has also permitted him to bring in special trunk shows featuring fine jewelry, antiques, and art.
“We’ve enjoyed being able to host the trunk shows...they bring extra interest to the shop,” he commented.
His wife Caroline Owens Crawford, who is an established fine art consultant in New York City, has coverted some of the new space into a gallery to present changing exhibitions through the summer season. Her shows have included the evocative large format photography of Carl Burton and an impressive Works on Paper exhibit that included drawing, prints, and watercolors by Warhol, Baldessari, Zinsser,Baechler, Carderelli, and others. Her current show features the Boats and Battles collection of artist David Fertig, a contemporary painter who focuses on the Napoleonic Era.
Last summer, Alastair Crawford began to design his own pieces. The first to be launched was the popular Inglefield Collection that cleverly incorporates a miniature version of the famous clip designed by Admiral Sir Frederick Inglefield, Alastair’s great-grandfather. The complete collection can be seen in the South Beach Street shop and online at www.Inglefield.net. This season, he has introduced the new Criss-Cross Bracelet, which plays off a classic 1870s design and is available in both sterling and 18k gold. At once pretty and whimsical, the bracelet expands to fit.
For next year, Alastair Crawford plans to venture further into contemporary designs in silver and in gold. “I’m working on 25 designs...things I’ve been wanting to make for years...we’re very excited about it.”
This week, however, Alastair has his mind on the sea. An avid sailor, he is a proud sponsor of Nantucket Race Week. “Last year I raced on the 12 meters, which was really good fun,” he explained. “This year I’m sponsoring one.” In addition, Crawford designed the perpetual and the winner’s trophy for Nantucket Race Week’s IOD Celebrity Invitational. These specially commissioned silver trophies are exquisitely handmade in polished and matte sterling silver and will represent an exact half model of the IOD sailboat.
“I love this island,” said Crawford, “and it is so rewarding to be here and have the opportunity to meet new and existing clients in an idyllic and relaxed setting.”
Alastair Crawford, LLC
Open daily at 7 S. Beach Street 508-228-3635 between the Nantucket Yacht Club and Lo La 41
Special A. Harris Jewelry Trunk Show on August 15 to 17
David Fertig’s “Boats and Battles” exhibit showing through September 2
