An award-winning collection of pewter bowls handmade in Sheffield by Jim Stringer.

The bowls are decorated with insects - and some of these insects can be removed from the bowl and worn as a brooch. Jim was awarded First Prize in the 2018 Worshipful Company of Pewterers Design Competition for this collection.

This range was inspired by the 18^th Century silver-gilt candelabra, currently on display in The Portland Collection. The candelabra was commissioned by Margaret Bentinck, 2^nd Duchess of Portland and reflects her interest in collecting natural specimens. Caterpillars, bees and other insects can be seen on close inspection, crawling on the surface of the silver-gilt.

The Portland Moth Brooch by Melanie Tomlinson

This design was created especially for The Harley Gallery Shop, and was inspired by the historic Portland Collection.

We commissioned Melanie to create brooches inspired by Margaret Bentinck, 2^nd Duchess of Portland. Margaret was an exceptional 18^th woman whose vast collections of natural history objects were rival to none.

The brooches are based on The Portland Moth (Actebia Preacox), named after the Duchess.

“I visited the natural history museum to see the Portland moth before creating intricate designs in paint. The designs are then hand printed onto tinned steel, cut into shape and finished by hammering, together. The metal gleams through the design giving each moth a jewel like intensity.”

Melanie Tomlinson has developed a highly specialist technique for printing onto tinned steel, which she uses to create jewellery, sculpture and community projects. You may recognise her work from ITV Creates. Her exhibition Ghost Horses and Guns showed at The Harley Gallery in 2019 and 2020.