Warriss is a former Master Cutlers and Silversmiths of Sheffield and now lies abandoned, left as a crumbling symbol of Sheffield’s industrial demise. Thomas Warriss first registered as a silversmith in 1855, however, this site wasn’t opened until 1994 – although it is likely that the site was used as a cutlers and silversmiths previous to the arrival of Warriss. It seems that the Warriss company name continued to exist up until around 2008; an assumption based on the dated documentation that is scattered across the workshops and office floors. Like most other Master Culters and Silversmiths, Warriss moved premises a number of times as the company became more established. The current Warriss site is the archetypal Master Cutlers and Silversmiths as the premises principally consists of small workshops; worn wooden floorboards, benches and shelves; narrow staircases and traditional tools and equipment. Equally, the workshops have been specifically designed to maximise sunlight across the workspaces. Of the many items produced, some of the typical ones included; knives and forks, jewellery, tea pots, hip flasks and candle sticks. Many of the old tools and machines lie silent throughout the workshops, and some of the produce and materials used in their production can still be found; all discarded in the dusty stillness that surrounds them.
We’ve walked past this building hundreds of times, on various journeys across Sheffield, yet, until today, we never realised how interesting it is on the inside. After navigating our way inside, using an interesting access point, we spent hours looking at many items and objects of the past. As mentioned earlier, there was a calm stillness throughout, creating a particular aura that felt good against the busier city streets outside.
1: Warriss Master Cutlers and Silversmiths, Sheffield
2: Warriss Box and Sheffield Steelers Plaque
3: A Warriss Produced Knife
4: Street-Facing Workshop
5: Bottles of Chemicals
6: Box of Large Antlers
7: Pay as You Go Power Box
8: Doorway to Workshop
9: Warriss Front of Shop Sign
10: Part of Upstairs Office
11: Display Cabinets and Open Briefcase
12: Old-School Workspace
13: Advertisement Leaflet
14: Advertisement Leaflet and Ring Boxes
15: Inside of Advertisement Leaflet
16: Incomplete Produce
17: Display Box and Broken Knife
18: Box of Spare Handles (For Knifes and Forks Etc.)
19: Large Display Box
20: Boxes of Smaller Antlers (Smoothed)
21: Rear Workshop
We’ve walked past this building hundreds of times, on various journeys across Sheffield, yet, until today, we never realised how interesting it is on the inside. After navigating our way inside, using an interesting access point, we spent hours looking at many items and objects of the past. As mentioned earlier, there was a calm stillness throughout, creating a particular aura that felt good against the busier city streets outside.
1: Warriss Master Cutlers and Silversmiths, Sheffield
2: Warriss Box and Sheffield Steelers Plaque
3: A Warriss Produced Knife
4: Street-Facing Workshop
5: Bottles of Chemicals
6: Box of Large Antlers
7: Pay as You Go Power Box
8: Doorway to Workshop
9: Warriss Front of Shop Sign
10: Part of Upstairs Office
11: Display Cabinets and Open Briefcase
12: Old-School Workspace
13: Advertisement Leaflet
14: Advertisement Leaflet and Ring Boxes
15: Inside of Advertisement Leaflet
16: Incomplete Produce
17: Display Box and Broken Knife
18: Box of Spare Handles (For Knifes and Forks Etc.)
19: Large Display Box
20: Boxes of Smaller Antlers (Smoothed)
21: Rear Workshop
. Looks like a really interesting place - wonder why they just upped and left all those pieces of antler?!
