In the case of the Days their great strength as a couple has been their ability to be honest with each other offering support

In the case of the Days their great strength as a couple has been their ability to be honest with each other, offering support and constructive criticism, and valuing each other’s opinion.Like the Eameses, who met at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1940 where Charles was a tutor and Ray a student in the weaving department, the Days met in 1940 at the Royal College of Art, where Robin was a recent graduate in three-dimensional design, and Lucienne was in her third year studying printed textiles.They immediately hit it off, and for three years they saw each other every day, revelling in what Robin describes as a real romance. That romance, based on a deep mutual respect and shared tastes – not just in art and design, but also for walking and the great outdoors – continues to this day.Kindred spirits, in the early days they would spend hours passionately discussing modern design, and poring over the latest journals in the RIBA library. These silks were made by Asha, a hand-weaving workshop set up in 1993 by Raul Jain, who talks about the exhibition at 11.30am and 12.30pm on Monday and Wednesday.`Minakar: spun gold and woven enamel’ is at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1 until 3 January. They are based on 17th- and 18th-century Mughal and Safavid “cloths of gold”, with patterns woven on to metallic grounds and then made into sashes, coats and trimmings. Entrance to the exhibition is freeA SET of pattern books drawn up at the Derby Porcelain Factory from 1780 to 1810 is to be sold at Sotheby’s next month unless Derby Museum can come up with the estimated price of pounds 80,000 by 16 October.

The sterling setting of the Goldsmiths’ Hall alone will make it a rich aesthetic treat. The fair, now in its 16th year, contains work by more than 80 jewellers and silversmiths, including pieces for table, boudoir and baby Items can be bought or commissioned. Goldsmiths’ Hall, Foster Lane, London, EC2 until Sunday; today 11am-7pm, tomorrow and Sunday 11am-5pm; pounds 3 (0171-606 7010)
A SMALL exhibition of modern spun-gold textiles opens today at the British Museum. While you’re paying homage to the work of Charles and Ray, don’t forget the English Eameses.`Lucienne Day’ is on show until 8 October at The Fine Art Society, 148 New Bond Street, London W1 (0171-629 5116).

FOR A gilded weekend, try the annual Goldsmiths’ Fair. The Days may not have succeeded in changing the world as lastingly as they had originally hoped.Nevertheless, throughout the Fifties and Sixties they exerted a tremendous impact and there is still a huge amount that they – and we – should be proud of. Calyx, with its abstracted spindly plant forms and revolutionary lime, vermilion and olive colourway, caused a sensation and won the American Institute of Decorators’ International Design Award in 1952. Throughout the Fifties the Days were the most talked-about designers in Britain.Their views were eagerly sought on radio and television; their house was featured in House and Garden and various other magazines; they were even invited to appear in an advert for Smirnoff vodka. When the Days and the Eameses started out, good-quality modern design was rare.