A journey of research in action: the commission-a palladium claret jug. Created by leading British master craftsman Martyn Pugh, it is reputedly the largest decorative use of palladium to date. This jug continues Pugh's challenging tradition of seamlessly dovetailing design, materials, manufacture, and master skill to produce what appear to be effortlessly elegant objects. The claret jug's deceptive elegance belies the enormous learning curve of tenacity, creativity and innovation that brought this object to life. The brief required a "matching" palladium jug to accompany the existing "pure" gold sister jug (2010 Santa Fe Symposium®). The "matching" brief set an absolute aesthetic on the jug, challenging when you consider the metallurgical demands of palladium precluded it from being manufactured in the same manner as the gold jug. There were questions regarding its manufacture. What was the most appropriate route? What skill sets were required for working palladium on this scale (360mm high)? Where was that knowledge to be sourced? Pugh’s manufacturing decisions were informed by researching all possible options. This research took him to the interface of scientific manufacture, and required a multi-disciplinary approach and a collaboration with a multi-national global bullion dealer. New lessons were learned. The jug was completed in the autumn of 2011 and had its debut at Goldsmiths "Fair London" before being placed with its sister in the client's private collection.

Authors: Dr. Ann-Marie Carey, Martyn Pugh