This collection documents the life and career of Cleveland silversmith Frederick A. Miller. It includes two digitized films on silversmithing methods, Silversmithing: Raising a Free Form Bottle, and Contemporary Silversmithing: The Stretching Method.
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Summary Information
- Repository: Cleveland Museum of Art Archives
- Creator - Artist: Miller, Frederick Anson, 1913-2000
- Creator - Collaborator: Miller, John Paul, 1918-2013
- Title: Frederick A. Miller Collection.
- ID: 1111.125
- Date: circa 1910 to circa 2000
- Extent: 10.0 Cubic feet [23 boxes]
- Language: English
Preferred Citation note
Frederick A. Miller Collection, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives.
Frederick A. Miller, 1913-2000
Frederick Anson Miller was a nationally renowned silversmith. His objects are in the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Best known for his distinctive style of hollowware characterized by its asymmetrical form, he was also an accomplished jeweler and teacher.
A self-taught silversmith he began his career during his formative years, having his mother’s souvenir silver spoons melted down (with her permission) to create jewelry. While attending Western Reserve University and later the Cleveland Institute of Art, he took minimal courses in metalworking believing they could not offer him anything he did not already know. At CIA he met his friend and life-long companion John Paul Miller who would later become a recognized goldsmith. Frederick Miller received a BS in Art Education from WRU, and a degree in Industrial Design from CIA. He applied to Potter and Mellen upon graduating, but with no position open, started teaching in his native Akron, Ohio.
Miller joined the Army in 1941 and served in the Signal Corps for nearly five years. Upon leaving the Army, Potter and Mellen offered Miller a position. After attending a six week apprenticeship at Stone Associates in Gardner, Massachusetts, he officially started work at the high-end retailer. A year later Miller began teaching at his alma mater, CIA. After nearly twenty years of working for Potter and Mellen, Miller along with John T. (Jack) Schlundt, purchased the company.
A critical point of Miller’s career was the second Silversmithing Workshop Conference held in August 1948. Sponsored by the Craft Service Department of the precious metal company Handy & Harman, the month-long conference influenced Miller’s style for decades to come. Baron Erik Fleming, court silversmith to the King of Sweden, taught the attendees the raising or stretching method. This method involved hammering the center of a thick silver disk causing the metal to thin and the edges to rise. The Baron’s tutelage inspired Miller to become a pioneer in the free form style.
Few places to exhibit contemporary silver existed at the beginning of Miller’s career. Notable exceptions were the Cleveland Museum of Art’s May Show and Wichita Art Association’s National Decorative Arts and Ceramics Exhibition. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s Miller’s work was mostly confined to juried exhibitions. As his reputation grew, museums and institutes sought his pieces for comprehensive exhibitions. Miller had two solo exhibitions, "Holloware by Frederick A. Miller" at the Little Gallery of the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York in 1961, and "Featured Object" at the National Museum of American Art in 1989. Locally, Miller displayed over 200 objects in the May Show over the course of thirty years
In the late 1970s, Miller divested his shares in Potter and Mellen and retired from teaching at the Cleveland Institute of Art. He continued to make objects at the home studio he shared with John Paul Miller until his death in 2000.
Scope and Contents note
The Collection of Frederick A. Miller came to the archives through his heirs in 2013, with a deed of gift being signed in 2015. The original organization of the collection was haphazard with no discernable order, mostly it was segregated by media type. The collection contains diverse media including papers, books, photographs, slides, negatives, reel to reel film, VHS, models made of clay or wood, and awards and medals. It is arranged by series, then by subseries, thereafter alphabetical or chronological. Spanning nearly 100 years from circa 1910 to circa 2000, the collection predates Miller’s birth and continues on posthumously. It is divided into six series, Art Objects, Personal Papers, Exhibitions, Audio Visual Materials, Ephemera, and Toshiko Takaezu.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Cleveland Museum of Art Archives
11150 East Blvd.Cleveland, OH, 44106
216-707-2492
archives2@clevelandart.org
Conditions Governing Access note
Open to the public. For more information or to access this collection contact archives staff at archives2@clevelandart.org.
Processing Information note
Processed by Peter Buettner, July 2015
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Cleveland Institute of Art. Cleveland School of Art.
- Potter and Mellen.
Genre(s)
- Instructional films
Personal Name(s)
- Takaezu, Toshiko, 1922-2011
Subject(s)
- Artists -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
- Jewelers -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Biography.
- Jewelry -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- History -- 20th century.
- May Show (Cleveland, Ohio)
- Potter and Mellen
- Silversmiths -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Biography.
- Silversmiths -- United States.
Cross Reference - Identified Objects
This cross reference serves to identify named objects which have representative pieces across multiple series. Items displayed in exhibitions and publications have been excluded from cross referencing. It is arranged chronologically and thereafter by type of object. The folders are interfiled amongst their perspective series.
Sterling Creamer and Sugar with Ivory Handles, 1949
•Images - Box 12 Folder 28/36/37
•Studio - Artist in his Studio - "Fred Miller Makes a Silver Bowl by the Stretching Method" Craft Horizons, December 1956 [negatives and photographs] - Box 17 Folder 14
•Studio - Artist in his Studio - "Fred Miller Makes a Silver Bowl by the Stretching Method" Craft Horizons, December 1956 [photographs mounted on tagboard] - Oversized Folder
Sterling and Ivory Sauce Boat, 1950
•Images Box 11 Folder 21
•Audio Visual Materials- Box 19 / Contemporary Silversmithing
Sterling Water Pictcher with Ebony Handle, 1952
•Images - Box 12 Folder 3
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 5
Martini Pitcher, Sterling, 14", 1953
•Images - Box 12 Folder 4
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 5
Sterling Salt and Pepper with Gold Spouts on Salt Shaker, 1956
•Images Box 12 folder 18/25
•Models and Forms - Box 5
Sterling Salt and Pepper Shaker, 1957
•Images - Box 12 Folder 19/25
•Models and Forms - Box 5
Sterling Water Pitcher with Ivory Handle, 10", 1958
•Images - Box 12 Folder 7
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 5
Sterling Salt and Pepper Shakers with Enamel Tops, 4 1/2", 1959
•Images - Box 12 Folder 20/25
•Models and Forms - Box 4
Silver Candlesticks, circa early 1960s
•Images - Box 11 Folder 2
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 2
Beverage Pitcher, 1961, Hammered Sterling Silver with Ebony [collection Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1988.71]
•Images - Box 12 Folder 9
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 5
Six Sterling and Enamel Candlesticks, 7" - 15", 1963
•Images - Box 11 Folder 4
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 2
Sterling and Ebony Nut Dish, 1964
•Images - Box 10 Folder 28
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 1
Raised Sterling Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold tapered formed Units, 6 1/2" x 5 1/2", 1966
•Images - Box 10 Folder
•Models and Forms - Box 1 Folder 1
•Patterns - Box 6 Folder 1
Raised Free Form Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold Fragments around Neck, 7" x 5 1/2", 1967
•Images - Box 10 Folder 3/6/7
•Models and Forms - Box 1 Folder 2
•Patterns - Box 6 Folder 3
Bottle [#5], 1967
•Audio Visual - Box 19
•Images - Box 10 Folder 2/6/7
•Models and Forms - Box 2 Folder 1
•Patterns - Box 6 Folder 2
Coffee Pot, Creamer and Sugar Bowl - Sterling Silver with Ebony Handles and Finials, 1967
•Images - Box 12 Folder 34
•Patterns - Box 8 Folder 1
Bottle [#4], 1969
•Images - Box 10 Folder 4/6/7
•Patterns - Box 6 Folder 4
Bottle [#1], 1971
•Images - Box 10 Folder 5/6/7
•Models and Forms - Box 2 Folder 2
•Patterns - Box 6 Folder 5
Sterling Silver Box with 'Tsuba,' 1985
•Images - Box 11 Folder 22/30
•Patterns - Box 7 Folder 4
Collection Inventory
Art ObjectsScope and Contents noteThe Art Object Series contains artifacts used in the fabrication of an object and the documentation of the object in its completed form. The series has been divided into five subseries. Each subseries came to the archives in a somewhat self-segregated manner in which no order existed. The first subseries processed was Images where the processor imposed a categorization by object type. A separation between Jewelry (mostly gold) and all other objects (mostly silver) already existed. From there, subdivisions were enacted to find all images of the specific art objects. Most of the documents relating to jewelry only exist in the Images subseries. The subdivisions of the silver objects: bottles, bowls, candlesticks, other, pitchers, service sets, and utensils were applied in the subsequent processing of the other subseries. | ||||
Models and FormsScope and Contents noteModels and Forms contains three dimensional objects used in the preparatory process of creating primary objects. The objects are predominantly made from modeling clay, wood, and metal. The most finished models are the four bottles made of plasticine. Following these are models for salt and pepper shakers lathed out of wood. Shapes made of various materials show the precision in designing the handles and feet for objects. Less finished are wood blocks which appear to be studies for the gauge number and shape of disks used at the beginning of the raising method. Also included are two wooden bells and metal disks which seem to have a related purpose. This subseries is arranged primarily by space necessities. | ||||
| Box | ||||
Raised Sterling Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold tapered formed Units, 6 1/2" x 5 1/2", 1966 | 1 | |||
Raised Free Form Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold Fragments around Neck, 7" x 5 1/2", 1967 | 1 | |||
Bottle [#5], 1967 | 2 | |||
Bottle [#1], 1971 | 2 | |||
Wood Disc | 3 | |||
Clay Teapot Spout and Handle | 3 | |||
Small Silver Dish and Metal Discs | 3 | |||
Handles, Feet and Ladel | 3 | |||
Wooden Handles | 3 | |||
Feet for Bowls | 3 | |||
Graphite Crescents | 3 | |||
Wood Forms and Metal discs | 4 | |||
Wood Forms | 5 | |||
PatternsScope and Contents noteThis subseries consists of finished drawings often on tag-board or tracing paper and cutouts derived from these drawings used to measure an object’s accuracy to a design. In a few instances, mainly the bottles, the cutouts were derived directly from the models. The subseries also includes shapes and gauge numbers for disks used at the beginning of the raising method. Material calculations and time sheets were kept with objects where found. The subseries is arranged alphabetically by object type and thereafter chronologically. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Raised Sterling Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold tapered formed Units, 6 1/2" x 5 1/2", 1966 | 6 | 1 | ||
Bottle [#5], 1967 | 6 | 2 | ||
Raised Free Form Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold Fragments around Neck, 7" x 5 1/2", 1967 | 6 | 3 | ||
Bottle [#4], 1969 | 6 | 4 | ||
Bottle [#5], 1971 | 6 | 5 | ||
Bowls | 7 | 1 | ||
Candlesticks | 7 | 2 | ||
Other - Unidentified Objects | 7 | 3 | ||
Other - Sterling Silver Box with 'Tsuba', 1985 | 7 | 4 | ||
Pitchers | 7 | 5 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers | 7 | 6 | ||
Service Sets - Coffee Pot, Creamer and Sugar Bowl, Sterling Silver with Ebony Handles and Finials, 1967 | 8 | 1 | ||
Service Sets - Sterling Silver Teapot 1979[?] | 8 | 2 | ||
Service Sets - Mary's Teapot, 1980 | 8 | 3 | ||
Service Sets - Mrs. Meyers Coffee Pot | 8 | 4 | ||
Service Sets - General | 8 | 5 | ||
| Oversize | ||||
Candlestick - Brass Candle Holders [liturgical]; Muncie, Indiana - [drawing on tagboard] | 1 | |||
Sketches / DesignsScope and Contents noteThis subseries contains rough sketches made before or after the fabrication of an object. It also includes a rendering, material calculations, and students’ technical designs which show the various courses used during the raising method. The sketches on oversize paper appear to be an encyclopedic collection of objects drawn after their fabrication. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Material Calculations Notebooks | 9 | 1 | ||
Material Calculations Notebooks | 9 | 2 | ||
Rendering - Spoon | 9 | 3 | ||
Sketchbook | 9 | 4 | ||
Sketches | 9 | 5 | ||
Technical Sketches - Coffee Creamer by James Mazurkewicz, Gravy Ladle, Coctail Stirrer, and Silver Spoon | 7 | 7 | ||
| Oversize | ||||
Cross - Sketches with grid paper overlay and rendering on brown paper | 1 | |||
Sketches [on oversize brown paper] | 1 | |||
ImagesScope and Contents noteImages consist of photographs, slides, and negatives taken of finished objects. This subseries is arranged by type of object thereafter chronologically. Most of the objects are categorized into six groups: jewelry, bottles, bowls, candlesticks, pitchers, and service sets. Fewer objects are grouped into additional types: liturgical, May Show, other and utensils. Aside from the jewelry, the majority of the images are of hollowware and date from the late 1940s to mid-1960s. Most of the images came to the archives without any annotation of title or date. The titles and dates given to the objects derive from cross-referencing the May Show database with May Show photographs. Most of the hollowware images were taken by John Paul Miller, and the May Show photographs are from CMA negatives. Although Frederick Miller created jewelry throughout his career, the images of jewelry were primarily taken during the 1970s and 1980s. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Jewelry. Bracelets | 9 | 6 | ||
Jewelry. Other - Brooches, Ear Rings, Groups, Perfume Box, et cetera | 9 | 7 | ||
Jewelry. Pendant, Cameos | 9 | 8 | ||
Jewelry. Pendant, Signets | 9 | 9 | ||
Jewelry. Pendant, Stones | 9 | 10 | ||
Jewelry. Rings, Group of Four [two may be JP Miller] | 9 | 11 | ||
Jewelry. Rings - Cameos | 9 | 12 | ||
Jewelry. Rings - Signets | 9 | 13 | ||
Jewelry. Rings - Stones | 9 | 14 | ||
Jewelry. Slides - Brooches / Pins | 9 | 15 | ||
Jewelry. Slides - Necklaces / Pendants | 9 | 16 | ||
Jewelry. Slides - Necklaces / Pendants | 9 | 17 | ||
Jewelry. Slides - Other - Bracelets, Earrings, Groups, Perfume Boxes, et cetera | 9 | 18 | ||
Jewelry. Slides - Rings | 9 | 19 | ||
Jewelry. Negatives [mostly 35mm] | 9 | 20 | ||
Bottles. Raised Sterling Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold tapered formed Units, 6 1/2" x 5 1/2", 1966 | 10 | 1 | ||
Bottles. Bottle [#5], 1967 | 10 | 2 | ||
Bottles. Raised Free Form Bottle with 23K Yellow Gold Fragments around Neck, 7" x 5 1/2", 1967 | 10 | 3 | ||
Bottles. Bottle [#4], 1969 | 10 | 4 | ||
Bottles. Bottle [#1], 1971 | 10 | 5 | ||
Bottles. Slides | 10 | 6 | ||
Bottles. Negatives | 10 | 7 | ||
Bowls. Sterling with Ebony, circa late 1940s | 10 | 8 | ||
Bowls. Dish [Freeform Nut Dish, Sterling with Ebony Feet], 8", 1949 (Collection CMA 1949.37) | 10 | 9 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Bowl, circa early 1950s | 10 | 10 | ||
Bowls. Sterling and Ebony Celery and Olive Dish, 1950 | 10 | 11 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Bowl, 1950 (Collection CMA 1950.98) | 10 | 12 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Bowl with Ebony Feet, 1951 | 10 | 13 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Nut Dish, 1951 | 10 | 14 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Candy Dish with Walrus Ivory Feet, 1952 | 10 | 15 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Fruit Bowl with Ebony Legs, 1952 | 10 | 16 | ||
Bowls. Free-Form Bowl with Ebony Feet, Sterling, 1953 | 10 | 17 | ||
Bowls. Low Free-Form Dish, Sterling, 1953 | 10 | 18 | ||
Bowls. Low Dish, Ebony and Sterling, 1954 | 10 | 19 | ||
Bowls. Free Form Sterling Silver Bowl with Ivory Feet, 1955 | 10 | 20 | ||
Bowls. Free Form Fruit Bowl [sterling with Ebony Feet], 1956 (Collection CMA 1956.116) | 10 | 21 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Free Form Bowl with Ebony Legs, 12" x 5", 1958 | 10 | 22 | ||
Bowls. Sterling Free Form Bowl with Ebony Tipped Legs, 1959 | 10 | 23 | ||
Bowls. Sterling and Enamel with Ebony Tipped Feet, circa late 1950s | 10 | 24 | ||
Bowls. Small Sterling Free Form Forged Dish with Ebony Tipped Legs, 7" x 4", circa late 1950s | 10 | 25 | ||
Bowls. Free Form Dish with Ebony Feet, 1961 | 10 | 26 | ||
Bowls. Sterling with Ebony, 1964 | 10 | 27 | ||
Bowls. Sterling and Ebony Nut Dish, 1964 | 10 | 28 | ||
Bowls. Bowls - General | 10 | 29 | ||
Bowls. Slides | 10 | 30 | ||
Bowls. Negatives | 10 | 31 | ||
Candlesticks. Pair of Sterling Free Form Candleholders with Ivory Tipped Legs, 1959 | 11 | 1 | ||
Candlesticks. Silver Candlesticks, circa early 1960s | 11 | 2 | ||
Candlesticks. Pair of Sterling and Enamel Candlebra, 1962 | 11 | 3 | ||
Candlesticks. Six Sterling and Enamel Candlesticks, 7" - 15", 1963 | 11 | 4 | ||
Candlesticks. Sterling Candleholders (soldered sheet construction), 1951 [CMA 1952.139] | 11 | 5 | ||
Candlesticks. Pair of Sterling Candleholders with Gold and Enamel Decoration, 1959 | 11 | 6 | ||
Candlesticks. Four Sterling Silver Candleholders with Enamel and 24K Gold Paillons, 1966 | 11 | 7 | ||
Candlesticks. Candleholders with Gold and Enamel [three butterflies], 1988 | 11 | 8 | ||
Candlesticks. Candleholders, Sterling and Enamel, 1953 | 11 | 9 | ||
Candlesticks. Candlesticks [mutliple] | 11 | 10 | ||
Candlesticks. Slides | 11 | 11 | ||
Candlesticks. Negatives | 11 | 12 | ||
Liturgical. Chalices | 11 | 13 | ||
Liturgical. Crosses and Monstrances | 11 | 14 | ||
Liturgical. Group of objects, 1948 | 11 | 15 | ||
Liturgical. Slides - Potter and Mellen Monstrance, circa 1962 | 11 | 16 | ||
May Show. Groups of Objects [from CMA negatives], 1951-1959 | 11 | 17 | ||
May Show. Lists | 11 | 18 | ||
Other. 'India' Compact Mirror and Lipstick (collaboration with John Paul Miller), circa late 1940s | 11 | 19 | ||
Other. Cigarette Box, circa late 1940s | 11 | 20 | ||
Other. Sterling and Ivory Sauce Boat, 1950 | 11 | 21 | ||
Other. Cleveland Institute of Art Awards, circa early 1950s | 11 | 22 | ||
Other. Silver Cigarette Box, 5", circa early 1950s | 11 | 23 | ||
Other. Horace G. Keller Memorial Award for Excellence in Draughtsmanship, 1954 [CMA neg #27207] | 11 | 24 | ||
Other. Fluted Sterling and Enamel Cigarette Box and Server, 1955 | 11 | 25 | ||
Other. Serving Dish with Ivory Handle and Finial, circa middle 1960s | 11 | 26 | ||
Other. 'Scott's Small Box,' circa 1980s | 11 | 27 | ||
Other. Sterling Silver Box with 'Tsuba', 1985 | 11 | 28 | ||
Other. Slides - Monstrance for Potter and Mellen, circa 1962 | 11 | 29 | ||
Other. Slides | 11 | 30 | ||
Other. Sterling Silver Box with 'Tsuba', 1985 - Slides | 11 | 31 | ||
Other. Negatives | 11 | 32 | ||
Other. Negatives - Objects by Ruth M. Erickson or Frederick Miller | 11 | 33 | ||
Pitchers. Sterling Martini Pitcher, 1951 [1952 May Show] | 12 | 1 | ||
Pitchers. Sterling Martini Pitcher with Enamel, circa 1952 | 12 | 2 | ||
Pitchers. Sterling Water Pitcher with Ebony Handle, 1952 | 12 | 3 | ||
Pitchers. Martini Pitcher, Sterling, 14", 1953 | 12 | 4 | ||
Pitchers. Water Pitcher with Ebony Handle, 1953 | 12 | 5 | ||
Pitchers. Cocktail Shaker, Enamel and Sterling, 1954 | 12 | 6 | ||
Pitchers. Sterling Water Pitcher, 11 1/2" x 5", 1957 | 12 | 7 | ||
Pitchers. Sterling Water Pitcher with Ivory Handle, 10", 1958 | 12 | 8 | ||
Pitchers. Beverage Pitcher, Hammered Sterling Silver with Ebony, 1961 [collection Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1988.71] | 12 | 9 | ||
Pitchers. Pitchers - General | 12 | 10 | ||
Pitchers. Slides | 12 | 11 | ||
Pitchers. Negatives | 12 | 12 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Salt and Pepper Shaker, 1949 [presented to Margret Craver Withers, collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston] | 12 | 13 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Salt and Pepper Shakers, 1950 | 12 | 14 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Salt and Pepper, Fluted, 1951 | 12 | 15 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Salt and Pepper, Raised, 1951 | 12 | 16 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Salt and Pepper Shakers, Sterling and Enamel, 1953 | 12 | 17 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Salt and Pepper with Gold Spouts on Salt Shaker, 1956 | 12 | 18 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Salt and Pepper Shakers, 1957 | 12 | 19 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Salt and Pepper Shakers with Enamel Tops, 4 1/2", 1959 | 12 | 20 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling, Gold and Enamel Pepper Grinder and Salt Shaker, 1959 | 12 | 21 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Sterling Silver and Enamel Salt and Pepper Set, 1962 | 12 | 22 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Salt and Pepper Shaker, circa middle 1960s | 12 | 23 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Salt and Pepper Shakers - General | 12 | 24 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Slides | 12 | 25 | ||
Salt and Pepper Shakers. Negatives | 12 | 26 | ||
Service Sets. Silver Creamer and Sugar, Carved Ivory Handles, 1948; Utensil, Silver and Ivory Sugar Spoon, 1948 | 12 | 27 | ||
Service Sets. Sterling Creamer and Sugar with Ivory Handles, 1949 | 12 | 28 | ||
Service Sets. Sterling Sugar and Creamer, 1950 | 12 | 29 | ||
Service Sets. Sterling silver Coffee Pot, Creamer, and Sugar with Ivory Handles, 1955 | 12 | 30 | ||
Service Sets. Sterling Coffee Pot with Ivory Handle and Finial, 1956; Sterling Creamer and Sugar, 1957 [pot and creamer double-spouted] | 12 | 31 | ||
Service Sets. Sterling Pipkin with Ebony Handle and Tray, 1958 | 12 | 32 | ||
Service Sets. Sterling Creamer and Sugar Bowl with Ivory Finial and Handles, 1962 | 12 | 33 | ||
Service Sets. Coffee Pot, Creamer, and Sugar Bowl, Sterling Silver with Ebony Handles and Finials, 1967 | 12 | 34 | ||
Service Sets. Service Sets - General | 12 | 35 | ||
Service Sets. Slides | 12 | 36 | ||
Service Sets. Negatives | 12 | 37 | ||
Utensils. Sterling Salad Set, circa late 1940s | 12 | 38 | ||
Utensils. Silver and Ebony Salad Fork and Spoon, 1948 | 12 | 39 | ||
Utensils. Martini Spoon, Ebony, Enamel, and Sterling, 1954 | 12 | 40 | ||
Utensils. Ebony and Sterling Salad Set, 1956 | 12 | 41 | ||
Utensils. Sterling Salad Fork and Spoon with Rosewood Handles, 1958 | 12 | 42 | ||
Utensils. Slides | 12 | 43 | ||
Utensils. Negatives | 12 | 44 | ||
Silver Gelatin PhotographsScope and Contents noteIn the mid-1930s Miller had a brief career as a professional photographer. This subseries is comprised of two photographs taken by Frederick Miller. “Care Free” depicts Mary Windsor Miller, wife of Fred, and “Flower Study” is self-epitomizing. Both prints were accessioned apart from the rest of the collection and were acquired at auction. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Flower Study, Silver Gelatin Photograph | 8 | 6 | ||
"Care Free," Silver Gelatin Photograph | 8 | 6 | ||
Personal PapersScope and Contents notePersonal Papers has been divided into nine subseries, Baron Erik Fleming, Biographical Materials, Cleveland Institute of Art / Instructional, Correspondence, Film, Lectures, Potter and Mellen, Publications, and Studio. | ||||
Baron Erik FlemingScope and Contents noteIn August 1948 Frederick Miller attended a silversmithing conference sponsored by Handy & Harman and organized by Margaret Craver Withers. Miller would later credit the workshop conducted by Baron Erik Fleming as making “him realize the unlimited possibilities of the medium.” This subseries consists of objects collected at or shortly after the workshop as there is no evidence that Baron Fleming and Miller had any contact after 1948. This short subseries is arranged alphabetically with photographs at the end. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Calling Card [signed] | 13 | 1 | ||
"Erik Fleming och Atlier Borgila" by Carl Hernmarck [book] | 13 | 2 | ||
Second Silversmithing Workshop Conference Certificate of Attendance, 1948 | 13 | 3 | ||
"Svenst Silver" by Erik Andren, 1948 - signed by Erik Fleming [book] | 13 | 4 | ||
Photographs - Portraits [includes groups] | 13 | 5 | ||
Photographs - Silver Objects | 13 | 6 | ||
Photographs - Silver Objects by Students | 13 | 7 | ||
Biographical MaterialsScope and Contents noteThis subseries predates Miller’s birth and continues on posthumously. The subseries is arranged chronologically with the early focus on Miller’s maternal side of the family, the Soureks. Also included in the subseries are printouts from ancestry.com detailing Miller’s family tree. Images are at the end of the subseries. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Mary F Sourek and Clark L. Miller; Marriage License and book 30 January, 1910 | 13 | 8 | ||
J.S. (Joseph S) Sourek Patent Journals 1910-1923 | 13 | 9 | ||
"The Ancient Mariner / The Vision of Sir Launfal" ed. Moody [copy from FAM's childhood] circa 1925 | 13 | 10 | ||
"Notebook for the Analysis of Form [for] Dr. Monroe" | 13 | 11 | ||
Western Reserve University Transcript June, 1940 | 13 | 12 | ||
Government forms circa late 1960s | 13 | 13 | ||
Smithsonian Interview with Elizabeth McClelland 8 June 1976 | 13 | 14 | ||
Travel Itinerary (Europe - Helsinki, Munich, Amsterdam, et cetera) | 13 | 15 | ||
Autobiographies circa 1950-1990 | 13 | 16 | ||
A Memorial Service for Mary Windsor Miller 12 December, 1998 | 13 | 17 | ||
Will of Mary Windsor Miller 1 March, 1999 | 13 | 18 | ||
Memorial Service for Frederick A. Miller 11 January, 2000 | 13 | 19 | ||
Ancestry.com Printouts | 13 | 20 | ||
"Tigers Toboganing from Unkle Tiger Travis" [drawing on napkin], undated undated | 13 | 21 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Events - Costume Party circa 1950s | 14 | 1 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Events - Fishing Trips | 14 | 2 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Baby Portraits circa 1915 | 14 | 3 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Military Snapshots | 14 | 4 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Miller, Frederick, John Paul and Mary Windsor circa 1970, 1990 | 14 | 5 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Miller, Mary F. (Sourek) [photographs] circa 1910-1920 | 14 | 6 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Miller, Mary Windsor, with children circa 1950 | 14 | 7 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Sourek, Rudolf | 14 | 8 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Sourek, Ted circa 1920 | 14 | 9 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Sourek Family (on a farm) circa 1910 | 14 | 10 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Family - Unknown Portraits and Snapshots circa 1910-1940 | 14 | 11 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Landscape - Yard (damage after storm?) | 14 | 12 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Portraits - Miller, Frederick A. | 14 | 13 | ||
Cleveland Institute of Art / InstructionalScope and Contents noteMiller graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1940 and began teaching there in 1947. He taught for 30 years before retiring. Most of the material in this brief subseries appears to be referential or instructional packets for students. The little correspondence is administrative in nature. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Cleveland Institute of Art | 15 | 1 | ||
Silversmithing and Jewelry - Basic Techniques | 15 | 2 | ||
Sterling Loop-n-loop Chain | 15 | 3 | ||
Transferring a Drawing onto Metal | 15 | 4 | ||
Various | 15 | 5 | ||
CorrespondenceScope and Contents noteThe bulk of correspondence is mostly with colleagues and former students or institutions seeking to acquire an object. No order existed when the documents came to the archives. While processing, any significant or repeated correspondence was separated into its own file. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
American Craft Council 1993, undated | 15 | 6 | ||
American Craftsmen's Council 1955-1957 | 15 | 7 | ||
Art Institute of Chicago 1987 | 15 | 8 | ||
Boston University 1982 | 15 | 9 | ||
Cleveland Museum of Art 1953, 1985, 1987 | 15 | 10 | ||
Hansen, Birte and Karl Gustav 1984-1990 | 15 | 11 | ||
Hansen, Hans 1968-1972 | 15 | 12 | ||
Havener, John 1975, undated | 15 | 13 | ||
Mazurkewicz, James 1970-1989 | 15 | 14 | ||
Meyer, Mrs. Edward B. 1970 | 15 | 15 | ||
Miller, John Paul, Frederick and Mary circa 1950-1990 [scattered] | 15 | 16 | ||
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1987-1988 | 15 | 17 | ||
Renwick Gallery, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution 1982-1993 | 15 | 18 | ||
Tramontana, Charles circa early 1990s | 15 | 19 | ||
Withers, Margret Craver 1961, 1990 | 15 | 20 | ||
General, A-Z | 15 | 21 | ||
FilmScope and Contents noteIn 1967, Frederick Miller and John Paul Miller produced “Raising a Free Form Bottle,” a film on the fabrication of one of Miller’s silver bottles. This short two-folder subseries involves the addition of sound to the film. One file contains correspondence and contract with the Society of North American Goldsmiths. The second file contains copies of the script, one handwritten and one typed. Copies of the film are in the Audio Visual Materials series. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Silversmithing: Raising a Free Form Bottle, Contract with Society of North American Goldsmiths 1984-1985 | 15 | 22 | ||
Silversmithing: Raising a Free Form Bottle, Script | 15 | 23 | ||
LecturesScope and Contents noteMost of the lectures are untitled and undated. When a date, title, or location could be ascertained the lecture was separated into its own folder. The lectures span topics from general silversmithing techniques and silversmithing throughout history, to problems in contemporary silversmithing. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
In Town Club undated | 15 | 24 | ||
"The Art of the Silversmith Today" Cleveland Museum of Art 11 November 1951 | 15 | 25 | ||
[coincides with] 1962 Silversmiths Guild Competition | 15 | 26 | ||
Untitled March 1966 | 15 | 27 | ||
General Speeches, Lectures, Conference and Juries | 15 | 28 | ||
"The Profession of Industrial Design" by Arthur J. Pulos and "The Sterling Today Design Competition" by Meyric R. Rogers 1964 | 15 | 29 | ||
Potter and MellenScope and Contents noteFrederick Miller and John T. (Jack) Schlundt purchased Potter and Mellen in 1966. The stock purchase plan offers a detailed account of their acquisition of the company, and consequently the 1977 budget shows how Miller divested his shares when he retired. However, the rest of the subseries gives little insight into the company’s workings. The correspondence predates Miller’s presidency and most of the other documents date from just prior or right after Miller’s retirement. In his 1976 interview, Miller states that he never sold his hollowware through Potter and Mellen. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Book "How to Make Jewelry" by George S. Overton 1914 | 16 | 1 | ||
Budget 1977 | 16 | 2 | ||
Budget Ledger by Object 1970s | 16 | 3 | ||
Catalogs, Artist's Brochures 1977-circa 2000 | 16 | 4 | ||
Correspondence | 16 | 5 | ||
Displays[?], [location and date unknown], color prints | 16 | 6 | ||
Stock Purchase Plan 1965-1966 | 16 | 7 | ||
PublicationsScope and Contents notePublications contain articles written about Miller and ancillary published materials unrelated to other series. The subseries consists mostly of newspaper clippings and magazine journals. Often the entire journal was kept if it contained an article on Miller. The newspaper articles which span from the 1930s to 2000s are the most encompassing, with articles not only on Miller, but also on John Paul Miller, Baron Erik Fleming, and Toshiko Takaezu. Multiple copies of articles suggest several contributors to the clippings. Conditions Governing Access noteOriginal newspaper clippings too brittle to be used. Reference photocopies are available. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Newspaper Clippings (photocopies) 1934-2000 (Bulk, 1950-1959) | 16 | 8 | ||
"Frederick A. Miller" unknown publication | 16 | 9 | ||
Walter, Edward. "3 American Silversmiths." American Artist 17 no. 4 (May 1953): 30-35 | 16 | 10 | ||
Brown, Conrad. "Exhibitions: May Show Awards." Craft Horizons XV no. 5 (September/October 1955): 42 | 16 | 11 | ||
Kirkwood, Marie. "In the Superlative There's only One-of-a-Kind." The Clevelander v. 32 (October 1957) | 16 | 12 | ||
Wixom, Nancy Coe. "Cleveland Institute of Art the First Hundred Years." Cleveland: Cleveland Institute of Art, 1983. | 16 | 13 | ||
Ohio Designer Craftsmen 1992-93 Membership Directory | 16 | 14 | ||
Baran-Mickle, William. "Frederick A. Miller: A Precarious Balance." Metalsmith 13 no. 2 (Spring 1993): 34-39 | 16 | 15 | ||
Fogel, Julianne. "Celebrating the Life of Fred Miller '40." Link XXXII, issue 3 (2000): 8-9 | 16 | 16 | ||
Rosenberg, Alan. "Frederick Miller, 1913-2000." Silver Magazine XXXIX no. 4 (2007): 22-26 | 16 | 17 | ||
Magazine Articles [non-Miller related] | 16 | 18 | ||
Newspaper Clippings (originals), 1934-2000 [bulk 1950s] | 21 | 1 | ||
StudioScope and Contents noteThe Studio subseries contains the ancillary papers not used directly in the fabrication of objects and demonstrative images of their creation. This subseries is mainly divided into two sections; material catalogs and correspondence, and images of the artist in his studio. Catalogs for precious metals and stones make up the bulk of the material catalogs and correspondence. The artist in his studio contains images of silversmiths crafting objects either in the studio or classroom. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Artist Mark [paper and photographs] | 17 | 2 | ||
Flux Recipes | 17 | 3 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Bernd Munsteiner Edelstein und Schmuckgestalter 1981-1993 | 17 | 4 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Billanti Castings Co., Inc. 1981 | 17 | 5 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Handy & Harmon 1947-1955 | 17 | 6 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Handy & Harmon - The Handy Book for Manufacturers 1939 | 17 | 7 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. The Eight Precious Metals: Interpretive Materials of Jewelry Craftsmen, International Nickel Company, Inc. 1951 | 17 | 8 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. O'Brien Enamels for Jewelry, Carpenter & Wood Co. | 17 | 9 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Schauer and Company 1961-1963 | 17 | 10 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Stone Associates 1949-1950 | 17 | 11 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. Whip-Mix Corporation 1973 | 17 | 12 | ||
Material Catalogs and Correspondence. General, A-Z | 17 | 13 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - "Fred Miller Makes a Silver Bowl by the Stretching Method" Craft Horizons, December 1956 [negatives and photographs] | 17 | 14 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - In the Studio [slides] | 17 | 15 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - Making a Bowl [negatives and photographs] | 17 | 16 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - Making a Spoon with Hans Hansen [negatives and photographs] | 17 | 17 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - Making a Teapot [photographs] | 17 | 18 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - Students in Classroom [35mm negatives] | 17 | 19 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - Workshop Event [mounted photographs on tagboard] | 17 | 20 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Artist in his Studio - General [photographs] | 17 | 21 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Objects - Artwork (non-Miller) [photographs] | 17 | 22 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Objects - Circuit Diagram [photographs] | 17 | 23 | ||
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides. Objects - Egyptian Model Stage and Pall Mall Shadow Stage [photographs] | 17 | 24 | ||
Ledger for Frederick Miller and John Paul Miller [folio] 1960-1968 | 21 | 2 | ||
| Oversize | ||||
Artist in his Studio - "Fred Miller Makes a Silver Bowl by the Stretching Method" Craft Horizons, December 1956 [photographs mounted on tagboard] | 1 | |||
ExhibitionsScope and Contents noteFew places existed to exhibit contemporary silver at the beginning of Miller’s career, notable exceptions were the Cleveland Museum of Art’s May Show and Wichita Art Association’s National Decorative Arts and Ceramics Exhibition. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Miller’s work was mostly confined to juried exhibitions. As his reputation grew, museums and institutes sought his pieces for comprehensive exhibitions. Only two of Miller’s solo exhibitions are documented in this series, "Holloware by Frederick A. Miller" at the Little Gallery of the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York in 1961, and "Featured Object" at the National Museum of American Art in 1989. This series contains the correspondence, entry cards, catalogs, and other materials relating to the exhibitions which span over forty years. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Juried Exhibitions. General 1952-1974, undated [scattered] | 18 | 1 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. Annual Exhibition of Work by Cleveland Artists and Craftsmen [May Show], Cleveland Museum of Art, 1949-1966 1949-1966 | 18 | 2 | ||
Exhibitions. Silver Heirlooms of Today and Tomorrow, Rochster Museum of Arts and Science, 3 August to 15 November 1951 | 18 | 3 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. Los Angeles County Fair 1952-1956 | 18 | 4 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. Designer/Craftsmen Exhibition, Beaux Arts Club, Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts 1953-1966 | 18 | 5 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. Fiber, Clay, Metal, The Saint Paul Gallery and School of Art 1953, 1955-56, 1959 | 18 | 6 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. National Decorative Arts and Ceramics Exhibition, Wichita Art Association 1955-1966 | 18 | 7 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. Brussel's World Fair (Expo '58), American Craftsmen's Council; Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston 1958 | 18 | 8 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. International Design Competition for Sterling Silver Flatware, American Craftsmen's Council 1959 | 18 | 9 | ||
Exhibitions. Halloware by Frederick A. Miller, Little Gallery, 17 February to 12 March 1961 | 18 | 10 | ||
Exhibitions. Crafts Collectors, Museum of Contemporary Crafts 1963 | 18 | 11 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. American Craftsmen's Invitational Exhibition, Henry Gallery, University of Washington 1968 | 18 | 12 | ||
Juried Exhibitions. Goldsmith '70, Minnesota Museum of Art 1970 | 18 | 13 | ||
Exhibitions. Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield, Ohio [photographs] 1972 | 18 | 14 | ||
Exhibitions. Forms in Metal: 275 Years of Metalsmithing in America, Museum of Contemporary Crafts/Cranbrook Academy of Art 1975 | 18 | 15 | ||
Exhibitions. Silver in Service: The American Craftsman Series, Castle Gallery College of New Rochelle, 15 November 1987 to 10 January 1988 | 18 | 16 | ||
Exhibitions. Featured Object, Renwick Gallery & Barney Studio House, National Museum of American Art January 1989 | 18 | 17 | ||
Exhibitions. Lifetime Achievements from the American Craft Council College of Fellows in Metal 1993 | 18 | 18 | ||
Exhibitions. Objects in Display Case, unknown date and location [slides] | 18 | 19 | ||
non-Millers Exhibitions. Salve Hallqvist - Reflections of the Past and Present: Contemporary American Silver, The Society of Arts and Crafts 1990 | 18 | 20 | ||
non-Millers Exhibitions. John Marshall - John Marshall Metalsmith Selected Work from 1979-1991 | 18 | 21 | ||
Audio Visual Materials MaterialsScope and Contents noteThe bulk of the audio visual material is copies of the two films in which Miller appeared. In one film, Contemporary Silversmithing: the Stretching Method sponsored by Handy & Harman, Miller demonstrates the making of a sauce boat. John Paul Miller collaborated with Frederick Miller to make the other film, Raising a Free Form Bottle. In 1985, the Society of North American Goldsmiths sponsored the addition of sound to this film. The subseries contains a home video of an interview and studio tour with both John Paul and Frederick. Additionally, there are artist in his studio films featuring William Bennett, John Marshall, and Toshiko Takaezu. | ||||
Craft Service Department: Handy & Harman. Contemporary Silversmithing: the Stretching Method. 1950. 4 film reels (16mm) and 1 videocassette (VHS). | ||||
Miller, Frederick A. and Miller, John Paul. Raising a Free Form Bottle, 1967. 12 film reels (16mm; 3 finished versions, 9 rough edits), 3 videocassettes (VHS), and 1 videodisc (DVD) | ||||
| Cannister | ||||
Artistry in Silver, Commercial Film Samuel Kirk Co. film reel [Optical Sound 800 ft] | 3 | |||
| Box | Tape | |||
Graeter, Ralph, Margret Craver Withers, William E. Bennett, and Paul Killiam. 1948. Handwrought silver. Margret Craver Withers Papers, 1926-1992. [S.l.]: Science Pictures for Handy and Harman. videocassette [VHS] | 19 | 2 | ||
John Marshall: A Point of View. videocassette [VHS] 1995 | 19 | 3 | ||
McNulty, Edward, Bob Barnett, Devon Guard, and Stanley Yamamoto. 1984 Artists of Hawaii: Toshiko Takaezu. Honolulu: Hawaii State Dept. of Education. videocassette [VHS] | 19 | 4 | ||
Takaezu, Toshiko, and Susan Wallner. 1993. Toshiko Takaezu portrait of an artist. Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities & Sciences. videocassette [VHS] | 19 | 9 | ||
Tramantona Tape, part 1 Fred Miller, Novemeber 1992; part 2 Fred & John Miller - Students 'Studio Tour', October 1993. videocassette [VHS] | 19 | 10 | ||
EphemeraScope and Contents noteThroughout his career Miller won accolades for his artistic endeavors. These include the Cleveland Arts Prize presented by the Women’s City Club of Cleveland, Horace E Potter Memorial Awards, some for exhibitions, and an achievement award. Also included in this series are artists marks and a small cabinet. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Address Engraving | 3 | 8 | ||
Artist Mark Punches [includes Potter and Mellen] | 3 | 9 | ||
Awards. Horace E. Potter Memorial Award for Excellence in Silversmithing, 1959 | 3 | 10 | ||
Awards. Horace E. Potter Memorial Award for Excellence in Silversmithing, 1950 | 3 | 10 | ||
Awards. Horace E. Potter Memorial Award for Excellence in Silversmithing, 1956 | 3 | 11 | ||
Awards. Horace E. Potter Memorial Award for Excellence in Silversmithing, 1963 | 3 | 12 | ||
Awards. United States Department of State Recognition of Public Service - Brussels Universal and International Exhibition 1958 | 7 | 8 | ||
Awards. Women's City Club of Cleveland, Cleveland Arts Prize, Visual Arts Prize, 1968 | 7 | 8 | ||
Awards. Governor's Award for Highest Merit, Ohio Designer/Craftsmen, Exhibition '66, March 4, 1966 | 20 | 1 | ||
Awards. ohio designer craftsmen achievement award | 20 | 2 | ||
Horace E. Potter Cabinet A four-drawer cabinet once owned by Horace E. Potter containing vials of vitreous glass powders used in the production of enamels. It also contains a few tools, samples, and trinkets. Approximately 22" by 12" by 12" and made in the late 19th or early 20th century. | ||||
Toshiko TakaezuScope and Contents noteToshiko Takaezu was a ceramicist whose works are in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Born in Hawaii, Takaezu started her education at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the University of Hawaii. She continued her studies at the Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Michigan and later went abroad to learn traditional Japanese ceramic techniques. Frederick Miller probably met Toshiko Takaezu sometime between 1957 and 1967 when both were instructors at the Cleveland Institute of Art. In 1967, Takaezu moved to New Jersey to teach at Princeton. This series is primarily a collection of documents from the time after Takaezu left Cleveland. It is comprised of mostly visual materials but also includes some correspondence and publications. Two VHS cassettes on Takaezu are in the Audio Visual Materials series. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Correspondence (postcards from Takaezu) 1990-2000s | 22 | 1 | ||
Display of Objects possibly at Potter and Mellen [negatives] | 22 | 2 | ||
Exhibition - "Works by Toshiko Takaezu and Lenore Tawney" [photographs] | 22 | 3 | ||
Exhibition Catalogs | 22 | 4 | ||
Objects [photographs and negatives] | 22 | 5 | ||
Objects [polaroids] | 22 | 6 | ||
Objects [slides] | 22 | 7 | ||
Portraits [negatives] | 22 | 8 | ||
Publications 1991-2011 | 22 | 9 | ||