I would like to thank all the individuals and institutions that not only provided their unwavering support and encouragement through the years, but also entrusted their precious pieces of history into my care. I am truly humbled.

- Al Crabtree

Along with our sister shop, The Silver Vault of Charleston, The Brass & Silver Workshop, located at 758 St. Andrews Boulevard, in West Ashley, has been offering its skills in metal restoration and conservation for over four decades. Operating under the guidance of Master Silversmith Alfred L. Crabtree, Jr., we present a spectrum of services on antique as well as contemporary pieces, including:

•Dent removal

•Replating

•Lacquering

•Fabrication of parts, such as handles, lids, finials, feet, fretwork, etc.

•Insulator, finial, and handle restoration

•Lamp and lighting restoration

•Monogram removal

•Fine hand polishing and finishing

•Precision machine polishing and finishing

Restoration and conservation services are available in all metals, including but not limited to brass, silver, copper, paktong, aluminum, silverplate, and Old Sheffield Plate. Each item brought into our shop undergoes a careful inspection, and all work entails using time-honored techniques and authentic tools. Whether a 7 gallon punchbowl from the USS South Carolina or a loved family heirloom, all items are addressed with the utmost care and precision.

Mr. Crabtree remains widely regarded as one of the leading silversmiths in the country. Entering the business with over a decade of experience in chemical research, he pursued his passion for metallurgy full-time, with the birth of The Brass Workshop in the fall of 1968. Mr. Crabtree's reputation expanded as his skills became even more honed and diversified.

Mr. Crabtree has been featured in the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) journal and recognized in the magazine Antiques. Twice Mr. Crabtree served as a master for apprentices enrolled at De Valschool, the Netherlands.

Mr. Crabtree's work may be viewed at The Charleston Museum, The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, The South Carolina Governor's Mansion, The Florida Governor's Mansion, The Charleston Governor's Mansion, The Jacksonville Museum, The Flagler Museum, The South Carolina State Museum, The United States Air Force and Navy, and many of the major churches around the Southeast.

Estimates and evaluations remain an integral part of business at The Brass & Silver Workshop. With regard to client choice, merchandise may be mailed or hand delivered to the West Ashley location. Shop hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM and by appointment. Relationships are of the utmost importance, therefore, client discretion is always observed.

 

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In 2004, The Brass & Silver Workshop obtained the privilege of conserving and restoring the State Seal of South Carolina adorning the Padgett Thomas Barracks of the Citadel, the Military College of the South.

The original barracks, built in 1922, was the first building constructed on the new campus, when The Citadel moved from Marion Square. Patterned after the Old Citadel, many students and visitors consider the design the architectural icon for the campus. Although constructed in 1922, the barracks did not bear the Padgett Thomas name until 1934. The Citadel Board of Visitors named the barracks in honor of James Graham Padgett, Class of 1892, and John Pulaski Thomas, Class of 1893. Padgett and Thomas' vital role in establishing the current campus deserved such recognition. Both men served as members of The Citadel Board of Visitors, and Thomas served as its chairman from 1925-1949.

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The Great Seal of South Carolina, measuring an enormous five feet in diameter, hangs above the sally port of Padgett Thomas Barracks. The Great Seal represents not only the rich history of the Palmetto State, but also South Carolina's long-standing military tradition. On March 26, 1776, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina established an independent government, electing John Rutledge as its President. On April 2, 1776, The General Assembly authorized the President and Privy Council "to design and cause to be made a Great Seal of South Carolina". Once the Declaration of Independence was established, a design for the arms prepared by William Henry Drayton was accepted. A Charles Town engraver received not only Drayton's design, but also another design by Arthur Middleton. This original Seal, formed in a circle, measured four inches in diameter and four-tenths of an inch thick. Now, two hundred years later,the larger translation presides over the newly constructed barracks.

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This translation consists of two separate areas, linked together by the branches of the Palmetto tree. The area to the left depicts a large palmetto tree springing from a fallen oak tree, representing fallen British ships. During the Revolutionary battle fought on June 28, 1776, the defenders of the unfinished fort on Sullivans Island, now Ft. Moultrie, managed to defeat the mighty the British Fleet. The upright Palmetto represents the victorious defenders. Along with this depiction is the motto "Quis Seperabit?" ("Who will Separate?") and twelve spears symbolizing the first twelve states of the Union. "Animis Opibusque Parati" ("Prepared in Mind and Resources") is centered at the top of the seal.

 

The opposing side of the seal bears a woman standing before the rising sun, representing hope overcoming danger. The laurel branch she holds in her hand symbolizes the victory of the troops at Sullivan's Island. The words, "Dum Spiro Spero", ("While I breathe, I Hope") resides over the image. Below the lady, the word "Spes", ("Hope") can be found.

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The Seal located on the Citadel Campus testifies as to the fine artisans of a bi gone era that crafted her. The Seal, composed of copper, is resplendent with raised lettering and figures. Hand crafted using a gold leafing technique, the focal points new obtain their original luster. Master Silversmith, Alfred Crabtree, worked over a ten-month period to complete this project. The restoration process consisted of straightening the circular copper background; reinforcing the outer rim; devising and instituting a method to remount the seal to the new building; conducting color analysis and reproducing the original background colors; and fabricating, installing, finishing and applying gold leaf to sixteen letters, six leaves, five palm fronds, two sun rays, one scepter and the trim on the edge of the seal. This last step of applying the gold leaf proved to be the most tedious.

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The material varies from 1/8000mm to 1/10,000mm in thickness. In order to apply the material, surfaces must be free from abrasion. Thus, much time and effort was put into restoring the Seal's surface back to its original condition. After the surface is ready, each gold sheet is attached tot he base material with an adhesive known as gold size. For large, intricate objects such as this Seal, a slow-dry formula, taking twelve to sixteen hours to dry, must be used. The Surface to which the leaf is to be applied must be patinated to provide a slightly matte surface for the size. The size is painted onto the surface with a brush and allowed to dry until its tacky to the touch. Once the correct amount of tackiness is achieved, the gold leaf can be applied in a draft-free work environment. The leaf is picked up with a brush by charging it with static electricity. The static-electrically charged brush holds the thin sheet of gold, while allowing the gold to be easily disengaged from the brush, when touched to the sized surface.

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Based on information uncovered during the conservation and restoration process, additional research of the seal's history is being conducted. To date, we've discovered the raised circular area located above the archway on the previous Citadel building, provided the seal's original housing. This also provides a strong indication that the seal was hand crafted in the mid 1800s, when the original building was erected.

 

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Though the seal is currently unmarked, scholars remain hopeful that the artisan's identity that produced this stellar rendition will, one day, be revealed.

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