Corporate, Ceremonial & Awards Testimonials
‘I am writing to say how very much the silver oar mace has been admired by the judges and the members of the legal profession. I think it is superb, only today I received a comment from a member of the House of Lords, his Lordship said it was "beautiful" and "a fitting enhancement of the Admiralty Court". The Court is very proud of it. It was a great pleasure to meet you and to be associated with the project. M.E.J. Black, Chief Justice, Federal Court of Australia."
M.E.J. Black, Chief Justice, Federal Court of Australia
"The oar maces for the Federal Court of Australia were hand crafted by Mr Ernst Pfenninger a designer, goldsmith & silversmith from Sydney, Australia, who was commissioned to make these unique items of historical value and significant importance.”
Federal Court of Australia website…
"St Laurence's College commissioned Studio 303, Sydney to design and manufacture a ceremonial mace to symbolise the traditions, mission and culture of the school. The completed mace is a work of art reflecting the design brief of the school. The exquisite piece made of gold plated brass, gold plated sterling silver, black jade and carved ebony is exceptional and received universal acclamation when presented to the college by the Senior Student Leadership in 2016. Studio 303 have produced a ceremonial mace of world class standard of which this school is very proud. We would recommend Ernst Pfenninger, designer gold and silversmith at Studio 303 to any institution seeking expert craftsmanship from this master artisan. Thank you from a grateful school.”
Ian McDonald on behalf of St. Laurence's College
"The Civil Contractors Federation Earth Awards now entering their 20th year are the most prestigious awards within the civil construction industry – recognising excellence in Civil Construction, Environmental Management and Project Management. In 1994, Ernst designed the awards and since then has made the National Winner trophies – using a brilliant design combining a special collection of materials that fully and faithfully reflect the status of the Earth Awards."
Richard Snare, Civil Contractors Federation
"The Garvan Research Foundation hosts an annual celebration of our Community Champions, and this year we called upon the design assistance of Ernst and Sharon at Studio 303 to help us realize the award. We were thrilled with the unique Helix design Ernst was able to develop for us. It was truly a piece of art and one our Community Champions are delighted to showcase in the foyers of their offices. Sincerest thanks to Ernst and Sharon for a wonderful job."
Leonie Walton, Garvan Research Foundation
"On behalf of everyone at the Australian Tourist Commission in Los Angeles and the many Aussie Specialists vying for the opportunity to win one, thank you for the Opal Award. The Awards are in recognition of the significant achievements among travel agents in the sales and marketing of Australia - competition among the agents for the Award and the beautiful trophy is fierce."
Warren Grau, Australian Tourist Commission
"Now that we are back from the AILA Congress at Singapore, I can write to you on behalf of the Association to thank you for all the work you (and your wife) put in to make the Gold Medal such a splendid object. The presentation ceremony went off without a hitch and Professor Halliday - the recipient - was very impressed by the Medal, as were all our Executive Board and International Committee, and the Congress participants who attended the ceremony in Singapore. So, this by way of official and personal thanks for your skill, your cooperativeness, and for understanding what the Medal was intended to achieve. Our thank, once again."
Prof. C. N. Candlin, President AILA
"I am writing to congratulate you and to thank you personally for the effort and craftsmanship you have put into the wall sculpture commissioned for the entrance area of the research building. Not only is the craftsmanship superb, but you also managed to capture the science behind the design. The piece rightfully enjoys pride-of-place in the Company."
Denis Wade, Chairman and Managing Director Johnson & Johnson Research
"A note to formally thank you for the wonderful piece you have crafted for presentation to the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. The elegant gavel, the magnificent base, the beautiful engraving work and the presentation box are all superb. I know it will be greatly appreciated by the Society. Please thank Sharon for her significant role in the design and production."
Graham Newstead, Executive Director, Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia
"I am writing to thank you both for your help in making our Inauguration ceremony such a splendid success. That help came not only from the craftsmanship and thoughtfulness shown in the design and making of the Processional Staff (for which Ernst must take credit) but also for the concern of you both. It was, as you could see, the subject of much admiration, and as His Eminence said, "we will walk behind it in pride" on all occasions."
Prof. Peter Drake, Vice Chancellor, Australian Catholic University
"I am sure you would be pleased to learn that the community celebration in Orange last Friday for our local Olympic heroine Suzy Balogh went wonderfully well. One of the highlights of the function of course was the handing over of the Key to the City, the highest honour a City can bestow upon one of its citizens. This symbolic key and work of art will always have special significance in her life and obviously pride of place in her home, as well as being a treasured heirloom to hand down to future generations in her family. Thank you for your contribution and professional input in being part of this special event."
Cr. John Davis, Mayor of Orange
"A unique Swiss craftsman, based in Sydney has created a custom designed golden footy trophy as part of a promotion by Dairy Farmers, Channel 9 and the Footy show. The superb trophy has been shown regularly on the Footy show and has been presented. Designer, goldsmith and silversmith Ernst Pfenninger's list of works reads like a Who's Who of Australian business and events."
Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
"My colleague and fellow director of the ADIA, Ian Crawford, has just returned from his visit to the UK to attend the annual conference and 75th anniversary celebrations of the British Dental Trade Association. Ian reports that his presentation was not only well received but created the highlight for the event. There is no doubt in my mind and my fellow ADIA Directors join me in this letter to thank you most sincerely for the splendid and exquisite design embodied in our gift to the BDTA and that your craft and workmanship has substantially enhanced the continuing friendship between the BDTA and ADIA."
Armin Roth, Federal President Australian Dental Industry Association Inc
"Sharon and Ernst helped me to create a ceremonial mace based on my design from start to finish. This would normally be a daunting process. It's a rather large outlay, and you just don't know whether what you had in mind will eventuate to what will end up in your hands. Sharon and Ernst were fantastic to deal with. They talked through the entire design and provided assistance with what can be done. Their experience with crafting custom pieces large or small is very clear. Nothing was too hard, and they were able to ship the final product interstate. I am extremely pleased with the mace they produced. The quality and craftsmanship is superb. They have made a stunning heirloom piece that will be passed on for generations. I am very happy with the results and wholeheartedly recommend them."
Connor Williams
"After having assisted Ernst in a few bespoke “arty” projects he had been commissioned to create, I knew he was the obvious choice, as a perfectionist and master craftsman, to redesign my wife’s engagement ring for our 40th wedding anniversary. The final design was exquisitely conceived and rendered into a beautiful piece of jewellery. I was extremely happy with the outcome. I also commissioned him to repair several pieces of heirloom jewellery that had suffered the ravages of time. I would not have contemplated giving the task to anybody else."
Alexander Bendeli
Belinda Manwaring