Thomas Lyte is a modern brand with a strong English heritage, inspired by the ethical principles of the Arts & Crafts movement and capturing the free-thinking spark of innovation in English artists from the 60s through to the present day. These ideas have led to a brand which definitively encapsulates the English spirit in the creation of unique and distinctive luxury accessories.
The brand is built on five core values –
Heritage
The name Thomas Lyte originates in the court of King James I where, in 1610, Thomas Lyte, a well respected historian and genealogist from Somerset, presented King James with a lineage tracing the King's ancestry back to Brute, the mythical King of all the Britons. This helped to secure the position of Scottish King James VI on the English throne as James I, in turbulent times that marked the change from the Tudor to the Stuart dynasty.
In appreciation, James I presented Thomas with the gift of The Lyte Jewel, a diamond and enamelled gold locket with the King's portrait inside, which can be seen today at The British Museum. The Jewel is unique, featuring complex rose-cut and hexagonal multi-faceted diamonds. This was the first time that diamonds had been cut in a way that allowed them to sparkle.
Thomas Lyte came from the Age of Enlightenment, an era which saw the birth of the luxury goods market. It was a time when furniture, clothing and objects became decorative as well as functional, and that is why the name Thomas Lyte was chosen for our brand.
English
Thomas Lyte captures the quintessential character of the English spirit, building on the rich traditions of innovation, adventure, entrepreneurship, a sense of fair play, creative vision, supporting the underdog, a sense of humour (not forgetting eccentricity!), that typify the English.
Art
The major English arts movements, from the Gothic period, the Arts & Craft movement, the 1960s to today, have had a strong influence on Thomas Lyte. We actively support the flourishing English arts scene and are continually looking to foster talented new artists and craftspeople, some of whom we commission to create new products.
Ethical
The fair trade and environmental ethos, brought about by the renewed interest in Arts & Crafts in the 1960’s, has been a strong influence on Thomas Lyte. We take our corporate social responsibility seriously, in that we want our customers to know who designs our products and who makes them, and we take great care to ensure that neither the environment, nor our skilled craftsmen, are exploited in the process. The Thomas Lyte Foundation, a registered charity, has also been established to encourage and support the work and welfare of designers and artists.
Modern
Although inspired by historical design movements and trends, our passion is to create contemporary products which are both practical and exquisite to look at, as well as being relevant to the present day.