New Silver Artworks Unveiled at Temple Newsam
August 3, 2026Contemporary Silversmiths Showcase Craftsmanship Inspired by Historic House
Two new silver artworks inspired by the historic Temple Newsam estate will be displayed from 12 August to 23 October. The pieces, created by silversmiths Miriam Hanid and Yusuke Yamamoto, form the centrepiece of the exhibition Reflections in Silver, offering visitors insight into the traditional and contemporary techniques involved in working with silver.
Artworks Reflect Temple Newsam’s Heritage and Natural Surroundings
Miriam Hanid crafted a piece titled Phoenix Jug in her Suffolk workshop. The design draws inspiration from the birds featured in Temple Newsam’s collections, including an 18th-century side table by John Vardy and the Chinese Drawing Room wallpaper, which incorporates birds from John James Audubon’s The Birds of America. The phoenix motif symbolises rebirth, a theme that gained personal significance for Hanid following the birth of her daughter in 2022.
Hanid described her work as follows:
“I worked my design using specialist chasing and repoussé techniques within the main body of the jug, which includes the phoenix with its majestic wings, and scroll details taken from around Temple Newsam. The latter were integrated with dynamic flames, originating from a hidden egg at the base, which frames the hallmarks.”
“Even in the face of destruction and loss, a newfound energy can arise from our hearts. When all seems hopeless, something new, something surprising, something of beauty, can burst forth from the precious egg buried beneath the ashes – it is up to us to dig until we find it.”
Yusuke Yamamoto’s work, Dappled Swag: Temple Newsam, was created at his studio in North Wales. His piece is influenced by the plants found around the estate and features motifs such as English oak, platanus, horse-chestnut, cherry plum, weeping willow, pine, thistle, hollyhock, and roses, which are also prominent in the house’s décor.
Yamamoto commented:
“It has been a real privilege to create this vase for Temple Newsam. The house and its remarkable interiors, together with the park and its rich variety of plants and trees, have been a constant source of inspiration throughout the making process.”
“I hope visitors will enjoy discovering the vase within the house and seeing how it responds to the changing light of its surroundings.”
Exhibition Features Process Film and Additional Materials
Alongside the silver artworks, the exhibition includes a film documenting the design and making process, as well as sketches, drawings, models, and test pieces. Both artists used the chasing technique, which involves shaping the silver surface with hammers and punches.
The new pieces will be added to Temple Newsam’s permanent collection, which already includes historic British silver and works by contemporary makers such as Ndidi Ekubia, William Lee, Junko Mori, Shinta Nakajima, and Hiroshi Suzuki.
Support and Funding
- The commissions were funded by the Leeds Art Fund.
- The accompanying film was funded by the Leeds Art Fund and the Silver Society.
Curator and Council Comments
Adam Toole, curator at Temple Newsam House, said:
“It’s genuinely fascinating to see and hear about the astonishing level of skill and ingenuity that goes into creating these beautiful works of contemporary art, and even more so considering they have both been inspired by Temple Newsam.”
“The contrast between the two pieces, despite both artists being influenced by the house and estate, also demonstrates how individual their interpretations and styles are.”
“As we can already see from our historic collection at the house, using silver to create stunning decorative masterpieces is an artform which goes back centuries, so having the opportunity to add two such incredible contemporary works to the collection and learn from the experts just how that medium has evolved is a real privilege.”
Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, Councillor Salma Arif, added:
“Temple Newsam is one of our city’s most dazzling cultural gems, capturing centuries of history through both its stunning setting and astonishing collection.”
“Having the opportunity to add new layers to that story thanks to the work of contemporary artists and makers is wonderful and I’m sure these beautiful creations will enthral visitors to the house for many years to come.”
Visiting Information
Reflections in Silver will be on display at Temple Newsam House from 12 August until 23 October. For further details, visit the Leeds Museums and Galleries website:
