The Carence Crafters were located in Chicago and in business for a relatively short period (maybe 10 years); very little is known about the company today. The only historical information is available through informal research by Alan Thatcher and the late Sybil Brabner:
The company Carence Crafters was chartered by the State of Illinois on March 7, 1908. The principals in the company were: R.D. Camp, C.D. Greene & J.H. Dunham. The business purpose was to manufacture, buy, sell, and generally deal in Jewelry, and Arts and Crafts products, and all kindred articles. Mr Camp was the president. His address was given as 449 E. North Avenue, Chicago. Dunham, the secretary, gave his address as the Hyde Park Hotel, in Chicago; and Greene, treasurer, gave his simply as Evanston, Ill. The company later moved to 170 East Madison St. The officers were then listed as Mr Camp, H.L. Morris as Secretary, and C.L. Lindsley as Treasurer. Some evidence exists that one of the principals was involved with the Marshall Fields’ metal shop. It is possible that the Carence Crafters was a design studio that had other workshops create their wares, it is still unclear.
The majority of Carence Crafters metal was made from copper, brass, or German silver (a fine pewter) with the designs acid-etched into the material, leaving a raised or relieved pattern. Subjects ranged from the whimsical (flying dragonflies, crabs, geese) to stylized designs of various flowers and trees.
FORM & DESIGN
Once collectors get an eye for Carence Crafters metal, it’s very easy to spot.
Etching is very similar on most pieces
The majority of edges are un-hammered and un-etched, leaving a nice border all around
Most designs are very angular & squared off (geometric)
Motifs as mentioned above are very consistent.
PATINA & FINISH
As with most period art metal, the patina is very important in the original design and creation of the item. Collectors will typically see a few variations in Carence Crafters’ patinas, although experimental examples always exist. The copper or brass works that display an overall verdigris (green) patina that is highlighted around the acid etched work is arguably the shop’s best work.
Also very common is the copper or German silver metal where the background has been slightly darkened, making the raised design that much more striking. Another very common finish is a plain waxed patina in any of the metal bases that features the same color across the entire piece.