The Life, Work and Legacy of Arthur Howard Guise
Published: 1st June 2026
Arthur Howard Guise was born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, on 10 February 1931. From modest beginnings, his natural ability, determination and creative curiosity led him to a lifetime of artistic, academic and craft achievement.
Arthur studied silversmithing alongside other creative disciplines and went on to produce an extraordinary body of work. Much of this remained known only to those closest to him during his lifetime, yet it reveals a maker of great skill, sensitivity and imagination.
Arthur was a registered customer of Sheffield Assay Office from 1953 until his death in 2017. Over more than six decades, his work passed through the Office to be assayed and hallmarked with his sponsor’s mark, AHG in an oval, displayed above.
His work included a wide range of jewellery, including rings, bracelets, pendants, brooches and pins, crafted in both silver and gold. He also produced tableware, including dishes, teapots and cutlery, demonstrating both technical ability and a deep understanding of form and function.
An archive compiled by his daughter, Alice, celebrates the breadth of Arthur’s creative practice. It features not only his beautifully made objects, but also observational drawings and photography, offering a fuller picture of his artistic life and legacy.
Arthur died on 7 December 2017, aged 86. Remarkably, he was still working in his workshop just days before his death, a reflection of his lifelong dedication to making.
An exhibition of Arthur’s photography will be on display at Otley Courthouse from 4th - 30th June 2026.
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,
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