THREAD
Jane Williams was baptised, & presumably born, in 1773. She grew up in #Cork, where she ran a #silversmith business with her husband--both Jane 7 her husband had served apprenticeships with Jane's father.
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#IrishWomenInHistory #NollaigNamBan #NollaigShona

After her husband's death, Jane continued to run the business & create practical & decorative items in silver that were considered among some of the finest work of the day. As with many other forms of art & craft, there were actually quite a few women working in this field
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We usually know little about them because they typically worked in workshops owned by men & their names were not recorded. Silversmithing was a lucrative business typically organised in family-run workshops where the husband/father was the registered "maker".
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Sons & apprentices could aspire to owning their own workshop, & their own maker's mark, this was rarely possible for women. #Silversmiths were very protective of their trade so they imposed a fine on anyone who brought a #woman into the business who was not a close relative. 4/5

Jane's situation is unusual, after her husband's death, she registered as a #silversmith in her own right, her work is marked with her own distinctive sign. Jane's work was much sought after during her life, & is much sought after by collectors to this day. She died in 1845.
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