James Cromar Watt was a highly skilled Scottish artist, jeweller, and architect born in Aberdeen. Renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship, he worked extensively with precious metals, mastering the ancient techniques of gold granulation and translucent foiled enamelling.
His meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach placed him among the leading decorative artists of his time.
Watt’s work gained international recognition, with a notable exhibition in Turin in 1902, where his exquisite jewellery and metalwork were showcased alongside other pioneers of the Art Nouveau movement. His pieces were also featured in The Art Journal, a prestigious periodical that documented significant artistic achievements of the era.
Strong influences from the Arts and Crafts movement can be seen in Watt’s work, particularly in his enamel designs, which bear a stylistic resemblance to those of Phoebe Anna Traquair, one of Scotland’s foremost enamellists and decorative artists. Additionally, he collaborated with Douglas Strachan, a celebrated painter and stained-glass artist, creating designs that merged intricate metalwork with stained-glass aesthetics.
