Identity area
Reference code
Nadpis
Date(s)
- Probably 1960s to early 1970s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
30 boxes (different sizes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Born, London 24/10/1930. Died, Essex 30/07/1999.
John Phillips was born in London, and after his marriage, spent the rest of his life in Essex. On his first day in Primary School he was taken into a classroom with a frieze of Egypt round the walls and was instantly and completely smitten; it was a devotion which lasted for the rest of his life and which influenced much of his work.
John was a Master Craftsman who could turn his hand to working in any material; his first job on leaving school was designing record sleeves for Decca Records; he made marquetry boxes and trays, and designed gun cases and cabinets for Asprey's as well as producing a range of designs for their wrapping paper. He also designed mosaic floors and furniture, worked in copper, carved in wood, painted World War II aircraft, produced detailed pictures of motorcycles in scraper-board, and engraved on marble and glass.
At his house in Theydon Bois he engraved a life-size figure of Horus on marble for his front porch; he also engraved on glass, in reverse and from the back, a map of the world which took up much of a wall in the dining room.
After a major stroke in 1977 he started to make jewellery, and spent the rest of his life producing exquisite pieces for his friends, mostly based on the Egyptian Gods, animals and hieroglyphs and symbols.
He had an eclectic range of interests including archery, target shooting, and the aeroplanes of World War II, and he was a voracious reader.
Archival history
After Mr John Phillips death, in the possession of his widow, Mrs Gillian Phillips. From October 2011 in the possession of Ms Susan Cokyll, who acquired the material from the widow.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by Ms Susan Cokyll in November 2014.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
2,500 slides (35 mm), taken in 1962 and 1963 at sites in Egypt and in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Folder containing typewritten and handwritten lists/catalogues.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Kept as received.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright Griffith Institute, Oxford.
Language of material
angličtina
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
No problems.
Finding aids
Typewritten and handwritten lists/catalogues that arrived with the material.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
These are originals.
Existence and location of copies
None.
Related units of description
Other Archives:
-Some memorabilia was given by Phillips' widow to Ms Susan Cokyll together with the slides; it probably still remains in her possession.