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Lamorna Jewellery Ella Naper and Kate Westrup Ella Naper, nee Champion was born in 1886 in New Cross, London. She attended the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts in 1904 under the inspired jeweller Fred Partridge and in 1906 she joined him in Branscombe in South Devon. Later she moved to Looe and then to Lamorna. Ella's early work shared Partridge's style and vision. This Art Nouveau style jewellery was decorated with dragonflies, tendrils, leaves and other flower forms. Her skill in enamelling and hornwork interpreting these natural forms should not be underestimated. Much of Ella's jewellery was sold through exhibitions such as the 'Arts and Crafts Exhibition'; and the 'Woman's Art Exhibition'. She also undertook a number of private commissions and supplied Liberty's of London. One of her commissions was a hair comb, green bone, decorated with green and turquoise stones for 'Mouse', Lamorna Birch's wife. Laura Knight, a great friend of the Napers also worked with Ella. A handsome pendant survives of an elegant ballet dancer in enamel by Laura set into a setting by Ella: marked 'EN & LK 1916'. Ella also carried out a number of public commissions including mayoral chains, memorials and, in this area, badges for Penzance Girls Grammar School. 
Pendant by Dame Laura Knight and Ella Naper, 1916 After the First World War, Ella, in conjunction with Kate Westrup, ran a pottery at Lamorna Vean. Kate specialised in figure groups while Ella made teapots, bowls, jugs and vases. Ella also tried her hand at figures and produced some fine portraits of herself and Laura Knight. The pottery carried on production until 1935. 
Lamorna Pottery stand at exhibition in the 1920's |
