Ken Russell Porcelain Jewelled Thimble

A stunning piece of history by ex Royal
Worcester gilder, Ken Russell.
Ken became an apprentice gilder in 1950.  He excelled at ‘raised paste’ work and jewelling, and one particular memory is gilding a tea service for the Asprey’s boardroom. 
Ken stayed in the china gilding department, turning down offers to move to the new Portland Walk porcelain works. 
In 1979 Ken was ‘poached’ by the former Royal Worcester ornamental modeller Ron Van Rucklevelt and moved to America, but returned to Royal Worcester within 6 months. 
Ken was made redundant in 1980 but taken back on in 1982 when the factory was inundated with work. This tailed off by the end of the 1980s, and Ken left to become a freelance gilder in 1988.
Ken sadly passed away in 2020.