An Isle of Wight pewterer has had the special honour of having her latest piece feature at the world-renowned V&A Museum.

It is not the first time Joy Wiltshire, of Totland, has had her work selected to feature at the historic venue.

Thrice now, the 76-year-old’s work has taken pride of place on a shelf in the museum, and her latest piece – a wall sconce – is available to view until the end of July.

“Every year, the Worshipful Company of Pewterers hold a competition,” said Joy.

“In the old days, tankards, plates, candelabras and the like were all made of pewter, and the idea now is to bring it back to the fore, because it’s a fabulous material to work with.

“In the last two years, a gentleman has come from the V&A to select around 18 pieces to display in its silver department.

Joy Wilshire's kingfisher, titled Hopeful kingfisher, which featured at the V&A in 2022. Joy Wiltshire's kingfisher, titled Hopeful kingfisher, which featured at the V&A in 2022. (Image: Contributed)

“My little piece, Nature Echoes – a wall sconce – was chosen.

“This year’s theme was harmony, and I liked the idea of a draft coming through the home and turning the head of the flower, sending reflections around the room.

“It’s amazing that somebody at my age can enter something like this and get selected.”

Joy’s only been entering the competition for the past five or six years, and came to pewter late, after seeing an advertisement in a magazine.

She’s keen to run a workshop here on the Island, to share with others what she’s learned.

“I’ve always been quite creative, and thought I’d have a go,” said Joy.

Joy Wilshire's pheasant, titled Bird on the Run, which featured at the V&A in 2023.Joy Wiltshire's pheasant, titled Bird on the Run, which featured at the V&A in 2023. (Image: Contributed.)

“I just liked the idea of experimenting with it.”

Joy taught at a girls’ school in Southampton for 15 years, and before that, she was an environmental designer and worked in an office in Rotterdam.

She was born in The Hague, in Holland, in 1947, and after the war, her family were keen to move.

They ended up in Cape Town, in South Africa, where Joy was schooled, and in 1966, they arrived in the UK.

Her daughter, Claire Shahrivar, is Tim Harris's assistant at Isle of Wight Glass at Arreton Barns, and around five years ago, Joy moved to the Island – to Totland.

She had always dabbled in the creative arts and was able to focus more on her hobbies when she retired.

Joy Wilshire's latest piece at the V&A.Joy Wiltshire's latest piece at the V&A. (Image: Contributed.)

“You pick up all the richness of people’s cultures and end up with a piece in the V&A,” said Joy.

“I just thought: There are all these fabulous artefacts in the V&A, from all over the world, and there is my piece on a shelf.

“Total madness, really, but I loved it, and there’s no boundary.

“Anyone can do this.”