Louis Osman

Louis Osman (30 January 1914 – 11 April 1996) was an English artist, architect, goldsmith, silversmith and medallist.[1][2] He is notable for the gold crown he designed and made for the investiture in 1969 of Charles, Prince of Wales. His work as a goldsmith puts him amongst the top artists in his field with his valuable and important works held in church, civic and private collections worldwide.[3]

Early life

He was the son of Charles Osman of Exeter, Devon. He was educated at Hele’s School in Exeter. In the 1930s he attended the Bartlett School of Architecture, part of University College London, 1931, and also the Slade School of Art.[1] He was a Donaldson Medallist of RIBA in 1935. The winner of this medal is selected by the Bartlett School of Architecture to the student who graduates top of the class at Part I.[4]

War service

During the Second World War he was a Major in the Intelligence Corps serving with the Combined Operations Headquarters and Special Air Service as a specialist in Air Photography. He also served on the Beach Reconnaissance Committee prior to Normandy landings on 6 June 1944.

Career

In the late 1930s he took part in the British Museum and British School of Archæology expeditions to Syria. He also designed private and public buildings.

After war service he worked in London designing buildings, furniture, tapestries, and glass including work in Westminster Abbey, Lincoln, Ely, Exeter and Lichfield Cathedrals. He also did work for the National Trust at Staunton Harold Church in Ashby de la Zouch.

During the 1970s he and his wife lived at Canons Ashby House in Northamptonshire. Whilst there, he made the crown, with his enamelist wife, which was used at the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales. In 1976, they also made the gold enameled casket holding the Magna Carta on view in the United States Capitol, Washington, DC for the United States Bicentennial.[5]

Epstein statue of Madonna and Child at nos. 11-14 Cavendish Square, London, restored by Osman

Personal life

In 1940 he married Dilys Roberts of Rotherfield, East Sussex and they had one daughter.[1]

Selected works

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 OSMAN, Louis, Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007, accessed 23 May 2013
  2. ↑ Obituary, The Independent, 17 April 1996, accessed 23 April 2013
  3. ↑ Louis Osman (1914-1996): The Life and Work of an Architect and Goldsmith, Author: Jenny Moore, Publisher Halsgrove Press, 2006 ISBN 1841144908, 9781841144900, accessed 23 May 2013
  4. ↑ RIBA Donadson medalist 2012, accessed 23 May 2013
  5. ↑ Washington Post: Original Magna Carta and replica get a cleaning 20 August 2010, accessed 23 May 2013
  6. ↑ Ornamental Passions website, accessed 24 May 2013
  7. ↑ Picture of coronet and the investiture in the Royal Collection
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