Scott Potter’s splendid objets d’art are inspired by the eighteenth-century print rooms of European castles, which were lavishly adorned with elaborate arrangements of paper cutting, or decoupage, as ornamental art. His masterful interpretation of classical motifs employs several eras of reproduction European prints, meticulously hand-cut and combined with gilding or paint and handmade papers.

 

Scott Potter’s love of formal design began with his career as a classically trained dancer. During his tenure as a choreographer and principal dancer, he toured extensively in the United States and in Europe, where his avid interest in beautiful forms lead him to begin studying and collecting rare antique prints. His love of dance movement and costume design fueled his desire for further visual expression through lasting decorative art. Since 1992, Scott Potter has offered his brilliant designs to the trade and through retailers, defining an unparalleled standard with the combined mediums of découpage and gilding on glass.

 

Originating from a centuries-old technique reserved for the decoration of the finest Japanese silk kimonos, hand-colored Japanese Silver Leaf is a rare and highly prized material. Composed of pure silver, the sheets are beaten thin and then meticulously colored in Japan, then hand-applied in the workshop. Their effect evokes the brilliant colors of stained glass, and when combined with Scott Potter’s dramatic and elegant botanical compositions, the effect is one of extraordinary beauty. Irregularities in the handmade glass and variations in the gold or silver patina are naturally occurring effects of glassmaking and gilding.