Florence Hollingsworth
Silver pieces designed and wrought by Florence Hollingsworth as well as silverware and jewelry owned by her will be auctioned at the Parish House of the First Parish in Lincoln (14 Bedford Road) on Sunday, April 12 beginning at 3 p.m.
Per the instructions of Hollingworth’s will, the silver auction is open only to residents of Lincoln, Mass., residents and to her former students. Pre-registration is strongly suggested; e-mail FHSilverAuction@gmail.com. A partial preview of items is available online at www.firstparishinlincoln.org/silver. An on-site preview is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 12 at the Parish House (the doors will be closed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.)
Hollingsworth was born in 1896 in Oregon and attended Oregon State University where she met her future husband, Lowell. The couple moved East when Lowell was offered a job at MIT Lincoln Lab. In the mid-1950s, Florence began offering silversmithing classes at the deCordova’s Museum School, where Studio 5 was later named in her honor. The artistry of silver-making became her passion.
In describing the silver communion paten and chalice set that Hollingsworth made for the First Parish Church in Lincoln, Roger Paine, former Senior Minister, said, “They are stunning—simple, elegant and beautiful. There are people all over the U.S. who took silversmithing from her, and who have a spot in their hearts for her.”
Hollingsworth shared her talents and resources broadly; upon her death, she made a $1.5 million gift to her undergraduate alma mater to create a scholarship program for promising, needy undergraduates.
“She was really a legend in Lincoln for many years,” said Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden. In 2003, the town of Lincoln honored her with the Boston Post Cane as Lincoln’s oldest registered voter. Hollingsworth died in September 2006, shortly after her 100th birthday.
“She launched a generation of silversmiths” reminisces artist Hilary Taylor of Merlin’s Silver Star Studio in speaking of Lincoln’s Florence Hollingsworth. “She taught us the traditional techniques of silversmithing. Florence mentored and supported us as if we were her family, and she shared her deep love of Lincoln with us.” Longtime Lincoln resident and silversmith Irene Briedis recalls, “Florence fueled my excitement for silversmithing, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
The auction will feature approximately 60 pieces (including jewelry) hand-wrought by Hollingsworth and 40 pieces owned but not crafted by her. Approximately 20 items will be offered in Live Auction by Lincoln appraiser and auctioneer Doug Stinson. The remainder will be on view for silent auction bids. All purchases must be made by cash or by check. No credit cards can be accepted.
