MALCOLM APPLEBY: a unique silver 'block' sculpture night light maker's mark MAA, London 1969 The cube block of upright rectangular form, the top with flared sides and a welled centre to hold a wax light. The borders are deep punched and each side is deep carved with hammers and chisels and engraved, deeply recessed with mythical scenes, a hooded figure, another figure, of a bearded man in ritualistic clothing and headdress, a bird of prey, and a chicken, further detailed with shapes and symbols, with further punched textures and detailing to the background, height 8.5cm, weight 31.3oz. Footnotes: This work was one of the first pieces Malcolm Appleby made at Crathes when he was renting Station House and before buying Crathes Station. As such is among one of Malcolm's earliest works. It was sold by Frank Morrell of Collingwood of Conduit Street and rare in the fact the piece features a London hallmark, rather than being assayed in Edinburgh. MALCOLM APPLEBY MBE Dr Malcolm Appleby MBE is an internationally recognised virtuoso silversmith and engraver. He has dedicated his artistic practice primarily to engraving and pushing the boundaries of metalwork; constant experimentation has made him a master of his craft and he is regarded as a creative tour de force. Technically masterful, frequently playful, his engraving on metal is often inspired by nature and the landscape of his beloved Scotland. Malcolm Appleby was born in West Wickham in Kent in 1946. He studied at Beckenham School of Art, Ravensbourne College of Art and Design, Central School of Art, Sir John Cass School of Art from 1961 to 1966. He studied at the Royal College of Art from 1966 to 1968, it was here Appleby discovered engraving at John Wilkes Gun & Rifle Makers in Soho. It was at this time he started his career as an engraver and developed new engraving techniques. He is now the most notable gun engraver in the UK. Appleby was a Littledale Scholar at the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' and at this time Appleby then moved to Scotland in 1969 setting up his shop and home at Crathes Station near Banchory. Appleby moved from Crathes Station to a home and workshop he designed in Perthshire, where he currently maintains a studio at Grandtully near Aberfeldy, Perthshire. In 2006 there was a major retrospective of his work at Goldsmiths' Hall. He received an honorary D.Litt. from Heriot-Watt University in 2000 and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to hand engraving. More recently, in 2025, Appleby received the President's Medal from the British Art Medal Society, the organization's highest honor, for his significant contributions to the art of the medal. Notable works, include Royal and ceremonial commissions An early Royal commission came in 1969, whrn he engraved the monde (orb) of the Coronet of Charles, Prince of Wales; also in the same year he engraved the 'Prince of Wales gold cup. Sold in these rooms 30th November 2011; a 500th anniversary silver cup for the London Assay Office (1978); a raven gun for the Royal Armouries (1986); Among his works he was the first silversmith in 1987 to be commissioned by The Silver Trust for a fabulous condiment set to be used at 10 Downing Street. Also to be found in numerous collections: The Victoria & Albert Museum, The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, The Royal Armouries, The Contemporary Art Society, The British Museum, Ashmolean Museum of Art & Archaeology, Oxford, Fitzwilliam Museum, National Museums Scotland, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow, Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums and Perth Art Gallery & Museum. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: AR AR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing