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commission

Cross and Crosier for the Bishop of Hertford

Christopher Foster wanted a locally designed and handmade crozier and cross for his appointment as Bishop of Hertford.

He approached Harriet as he was looking for a local designer who could combine a modern style with a traditional concept and knew of her work through her Cross of St Albans design.

This was an unusual, but interesting commission for Harriet and together they came up with the idea of a finish that combined polished and satin areas.

Harriet sketched various shapes involving this idea.

The crozier hook shape was a modern interpretation of a 14th century crozier shape.

The cross was handmade by Harriet in Sterling silver, but the crozier was somewhat larger than her usual work! So, she employed a local musical instrument maker to handwork brass tubing into her design and then after that it was silver plated.

The design allowed for the crozier to be dismantled for transportation, so a snooker cue manufacturer was consulted to make the screw joints!

Christopher Foster wrote:
"On appointment as Bishop of Hertford I was very keen that, as far as possible, my insignia of office should be special and appropriate. Harriet Kelsall, a young designer with growing reputation, works from a studio in the county which I serve as Bishop. Generously she worked on my pectoral cross and crozier (Bishop's staff or crook, recalling his duty to care for the flock) and in many conversations converted my preferences into a beautiful and special piece of silverwork. They are modern in design and manufacture, but traditional in concept