J&J Wiggin were an engineering founded by J T Wiggin and his son J E Wiggin which became the largest producers of chromium-plated bathroom accessories in the interwar period They also became the leading manufacturer of stainless steel tableware which they sold under the trade brand Old Hall, named after the Salvation Army Mission Hall into which they moved in 1904. They produced the world's first stainless steel toast rack in 1928 and Welch's 'Campden' model was designed in 1957 winning the Design Centre Award in 1958. It stayed in production until the firm closed in 1984.
Robert Welch (1929-2000) grew up near Malvern, Worcestershire and studied at Malvern School of Art and Birmingham College of Art before continuing his study of metalworking and silversmithing at the RCA. Heavily influenced by Scandinavian metalwork firms and designers, he studied in Stockholm under Theodor Olsen. He sold his first design to J&J Wiggin of Bloxwich while still at college, and went on to be their consultant designer of stainless steel tableware products until the firm closed in the 1980s. Welch established his on design firm in 1955 a former mill in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire which had previously been used by the Arts and Crafts designer, C R Ashbee, for his Guild and School of Handicraft.
- Height approx. 7.5cm
- Length approx. 19cm
- Width approx. 7.5cm
