Ophus Sølvsmie (Marte Sandnes Ophus)
Ophus Sølvsmie is the workshop established by Marte Sandnes Ophus in 2012. The 2016 exhibition catalogue Søljer: tradisjon og fri form documents her work with filigree, original jewellery, and the reconstruction and repair of older Norwegian costume silver.
Workshop and historical model
The name matters when jewellery follows an older tradition but was made or altered more recently. Distinguish the age of the pattern, the manufacture of the particular object and any subsequent repair. A reconstruction should not be dated as the original on which it is based. Participation in the 2016 exhibition does not date every piece associated with the workshop to that year.
What should be recorded?
Photograph wirework, joins, reverse and marks closely. Preserve commission records and details of what the workshop actually did. These can distinguish its own production from restoration of another maker's work. Traditional styling and filigree alone do not establish authorship. Inspect the pin, loops and moving parts, recording replacement components separately. Transcribe an uncertain mark as observed without assigning a definite maker.
