[Jewelry making - Article 00100] - Re: [Orchid] Silver granulation

[Goldcsau]

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    Hello Jean, Fredericka, and others interested in the history of
    granulation. I am dismayed to hear once more that there was (is) an
    opinion among some (albeit not first-hand), that John Paul Miller
    did not teach granulation.....or did so only to a few people. In
    fact, this misconception was actually printed in Blauer's book on
    Contemporary Jewelry, and not very nicely at that. I have never
    bought the book for that reason. 

    I was a student of  JPM in the early 1980's at the Cleveland
    Institute of Art, where I learned the technique from him. In a class
    of several people, I happened to be the only student who was
    interested, the others being of the more "avant garde" persuasion. I
    learned silver and gold granulation, asked all questions that I had,
    and no answers were every withheld.  Such has been the case for the
    past 20 years, during which time I have been in close touch with
    JPM, and call him if and when I need technical advice, which he
    gladly gives.  He is a kind and gentle man, and I agree, is the
    best, most creative and should be recognized by the jewelry arts
    community as a pioneer in this country for the technique.  

    I also attended the Jewelry Arts Academy, where I first heard this
    false rumor. I was shocked. When it appeared in print, Mr. Miller
    was also surprised and dismayed, but is a very private person and
    did not want to become involved in a controversy. He was never the
    type to seek notoriety for being "first"....he was simply fascinated
    with the technique after seeing the work of Eleanor Treskow in
    Germany and wanted to know more about its history and execution. He
    is an artist and wants to do his work in peace. If he ever withheld
    any technical information from those he did not know, at a time when
    he was experimenting and perfecting technique, I am not party to. 
    All I know is that a number of very prominent goldsmiths (including
    John Marshall) learned from him and went on to teach.  The work of
    his students is distinctive, fine and obviously the result of having
    been taught by a master. As you state, Oppi Untracht's book contains
    a technical explanation of granulation by Mr.Miller. 

    As we all know, granulation, as well as most other metalsmithing
    techniques are   ancient in origin. Their execution,"discovery",
    etc. belongs to no one. There seems to be little recognition
    moreover, that the technique never "died" in Asia.....reflective of
    our narrow-minded vision of the world.  

    I hope that it may go on record, for those who will not have the
    privilege of knowing John Paul Miller who is in his 80's (and still
    working), that he is not only a superb  artist, but a dedicated
    teacher and wonderful person. 

Elizabeth McDevitt

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