Save the Pieces
‘Save the Pieces’ is a tiny, broken enamel found on the floor of the long-abandoned workshop of artworkmen F R Leach & Sons, a once-prosperous company which supplied artisan artists to decorate churches, stately homes, palaces and private houses. Just before it was demolished a treasure hoard of precious items from the workshop were rescued and now live at the David Parr House in Cambridge. In a small, quiet display case containing ancient paintbrushes, a book of gold leaf, broken cherubs, keys and ephemera - rescued and treasured - is a small enamel piece, broken in two which hung above the workbench – it is painted with ‘Save the Pieces’.
Everything in the workshop was cherished, from the smallest fragment of hand-painted stained glass to gilded mouldings - saved, re-used, re-cycled and most of all, valued. Fragile evidence of men’s work – discreet, quiet and beautiful.