View XML QR Code

John W. Elliott drawing and photograph collection, approximately 1928-2004

Overview of the Collection

Architect
Elliott, John W. (John William), 1883-1971
Title
John W. Elliott drawing and photograph collection
Dates
approximately 1928-2004 (inclusive)
Quantity
294 photographic prints (2 boxes, 1 panoramic photograph folder) ; various sizes
30 negatives (30 folders) : nitrate ; various sizes
40 drawings (6 folders) ; various sizes
8 documents (1 folder) ; various sizes
Collection Number
PH1184
Summary
Photographs and drawings document the work of architectural sculptor and repousse craftsman John W. Elliott in the Pacific Northwest
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Architectural sculptor, modeler, and repousse craftsman John W. Elliott (1883-1971) was born and educated in Sheffield, England. Elliott was the son of a stone carver and modeler. He began his apprenticeship as a silversmith when he was thirteen before he went on to formally study design at the Sheffield Technical School of Art (now part of the University of Sheffield). Elliott emigrated to the United States in 1906. He initially settled in New England and worked for Gorham Silver in Rhode Island and the International Silver Company in Connecticut. After moving to Seattle in 1924, Elliott worked as an architectural sculptor for Gladding, McBean & Company from 1927-1932. He later opened his home studio at 7515 California Avenue Southwest in West Seattle and specialized in metal repousse, modeling for ornamental plaster, ecclesiastical metalwork, and silversmithing. His work includes the metal panels at the entrance to the Northwestern Mutual Fire Association Building, thirty-four repousse panels in the Seattle City Light Building, and the sculpted Heads of Lawgivers of the World on Condon Hall at the University of Washington.

John W. Elliott was an active member of the Seattle arts community. He was one of twelve founding members of the Craftsmen's Guild of Washington. The organization was founded in 1938 to further the interests of skilled craftsmen and to perpetuate the arts and crafts, recognized as artificial stone, bookbinding, carvings, ceramics, commercial art, metal design and craftsmanship, fine art furniture, stained and architectural art glass, table and ornamental glass, illuminated manuscripts, jewelry, lapidary, light fixtures, leatherwork, modeling, mural painting, packaging, creative photography, fine picture framing, ornamental plaster, pottery, printmaker, sculpture, taxidermy, decorative terra cotta, and textiles. A exhibition of work by the Craftsmen's Guild was shown at the Seattle Art Museum in 1942; Elliott's process for the gates at the US Post Office in Longview, Washington, as well as the decorative arts were featured as part of the exhibition.

John W. Elliott was appointed to the Seattle City Art exhibition committee in 1940. In addition to his career as a craftsman, Elliott also worked as District Supervisor for the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation during the 1940s and 1950s. Elliott was awarded a Certificate of Superior Craftsmanship in Architectural Sculpture and Repousse in Metal by the Washington State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Return to Top

Historical Background

The Northern Clay Products Company was established in 1906. The company drew their clay from mineral deposits around Auburn and Renton, Washington. The clay was formed in molds, glazed, and fired at high temperatures into a product known as terra cotta. Gladding, McBean & Company, a California company, acquired Northern Clay Products and the Denny-Renton Coal & Clay Company during the 1920s. Terra cotta was particularly well-suited for the art deco ornamentation that was favored during the 1930s during the skyscraper boom in Seattle.

Chasing and repousse are traditional silversmith techniques commonly executed in britannia metal, an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper developed in the 18th century. The relief images were drawn onto the panels by a process called chasing, in which dull chisels form indentations on the surface of the metal. Chasing is then followed by repousse, in which the image is pushed out from behind with a snarling iron.

Return to Top

Content Description

Photographs and drawings from the personal collection of John W. Elliott feature architectural sculpture and metalwork. Photographs include studio images from Gladding, McBean & Company of clay models for terracotta sculpture during the 1930s and 1940s. Additional photographs include images of commemorative plaques, awards, and ecclesiastical metalwork. Recent photographs taken during the 1990s and early 2000s by John W. Elliott's son, Bill Elliott, feature images of buildings with ornamentation attributed to John W. Elliott.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions might exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the repository for details.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Custodial History

Collection was assembled by Bill Elliott, son of John W. Elliott. Photographs were assembled from John W. Elliott's personal photographs. Additional photographs and research materials from the 1990s were taken by Bill Elliott.

Acquisition Information

Source: Christine Morgan, 2014.

Processing Note

Processed by Kelly Daviduke. Processing completed in 2014.

Related Materials

Published materials about John W. Elliott have been transferred to the Architects Reference File (PH Coll 1305) .

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

 


2015 (Last modified: 1/12/2024)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West