Setting a New Standard—One Woman’s Impact on Silver and Suffrage

Chicago-based silversmith firm, The Kalo Shop, was an innovative design studio founded in 1900 by Clara Barck Welles. Kalo produced beautiful objects of the highest quality for 70 years. Learn about the groundbreaking techniques used by Kalo with John Walcher, Senior Specialist of Decorative Arts for Rago Wright LLC and Toomey & Co. Auctioneers. Using works within the museum collection and selections from the Collection of Paul Somerson, Walcher will highlight the techniques and meticulous skills found in Kalo's exquisite and influential designs in Arts and Crafts jewelry and metalwork.

Join us for a reception from 1:30-2:30 pm in the Chace Center prior to the lecture.
Free. Registration requested for this in-person program.

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This annual lecture is supported by the Paul Somerson Fund for Decorative Arts and Design in honor of the late collector.

John P. Walcher is a Senior Specialist and auctioneer for Rago/Wright LLC and Toomey & Co. Auctioneers, and joined the company in 2013. Since joining the company in Chicago, John has managed and curated numerous collections at auction and helped oversee many important collections, including: The Paul and Terry Somerson Collection of 20th & 21st Century Metalwork and Jewelry; The Collection of Ira Simon: Sold to Benefit the Art Institute of Chicago; The Warshawsky Collection; The Estate of Candice B. Groot; The Collection of Governor Jim Thompson; and The Estate of Robert E. “Butch" McGuire, among others. John has long held a passion for the history of Chicago silversmiths, with a particular emphasis on The Kalo Shop, much of which he attributes to the late Paul Somerson.