workmaster

noun

1. (archaic)Master workman; overseer; employer of workmen.

   “[…] Sathan the workmaster of all mischeef being greved that his own kingdome draweth to an end […] like a slie Serpent setteth snares and pitfalles innumerable, to intrap men and bring them to destruction by policie […]”

   “When this is over, many fine mats are distributed which are taken to the workmaster. If he is satisfied he accepts the mats, but if he is angry he rejects them.”

2. A skilled craftsman who owns a workshop.

   “AUGUST Fredrik HOLLMING (1854- 1913), born in Finland, workmaster in St. Petersburg from 1880 until his death, with a workshop at 35 Kazanskaya Street; in 1900 he moved into Fabergé's new building.”

   “Aarne returned to his native Finland in 1891 to become a workmaster in Tampere before being hired by Faberge that same year. His workshop produced gold and silver objects many of which were translucently enamelled in the Western taste.”

   “A notable collection would contain a number of cigarette boxes, authenticated, from either a variety of workmasters or from the hands of one particular workmaster.”

   “A nephrite-and-diamond imperial presentation box bearing the monogram of Czar Nicholas II, made by Fabergé workmaster Henrik Wigstron, St. Petersburg, 1900.”