The company originally grew organically due to the admiration of a pair of earrings Patrick made for his wife in 1990. Now alongside the couple’s four sons, Alexander, Forbes, Patrick Jnr and Benjamin, the brand Patrick Mavros is synonymous with creating art inspired by the wildlife of the African plains.
Instantly recognisable, Mavros captures the charm of the animals on their doorstep in Zimbabwe such as elephants and impalas. Casting in silver, they create sculptures, jewellery, and homewares. Their home at Mpata Farm has always mirrored their collections, in 1987 ZoZo the orphaned elephant calf was adopted on the farm and Patrick created his first elephant sculpture.
The elephant ZoZo was to further influence Patrick's work and in 1992 ‘The Classic Elephant Candelabra Pair’ was created. This galvanised the collection of table centrepieces and in particular a series of candelabra. The candelabra to be offered in our forthcoming Silver & Objets de Vertu sale feature the klipspringer, a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. Mating for life, the pair never stray more than 5 metres from one another. By featuring the Klipsringer, not only does Mavros create a delightful centrepiece, but raises the profile of African wildlife.
Conservation is a key component of their ethos and their motto ‘A family of Creativity, a legacy of conservation’ encapsulates this. Much work has been done to highlight the plight of the pangolin for example with their 2016 collaboration with photographer Adrian Stern.
From gem set jewellery to swizzle sticks to impressively large centrepieces, the Mavros family use their collections to pay tribute to the love of their home in Africa.
Lyon & Turnbull’s Silver & Objects of Vertu department currently hold two specialist auctions per year - alongside the annual Scottish Silver & Applied Arts auction in August - dedicated to both British and foreign silverware from the 16th century to modern day.
While good quality pieces of traditional silverware remain popular, particularly items with an interesting provenance or by renowned makers such as Paul Storr, Paul de Lamerie, Rundell, Bridge & Rundell and Garrards; recent years have seen the emergence of post-war British silverware as an important collecting area. Scotland is proud to call home to a number of important contemporary silversmiths, including Malcolm Appleby, Graham Smith and Adrian Hope; and Lyon & Turnbull continues to champion new and emerging craftspeople via Elements, our annual exhibition of contemporary silverware and jewellery.