The Goldsmiths’ Company
Interim Deputy Curator (Contemporary) April 2019 - April 2020
From April 2019 to 2020 I worked as Interim Deputy Curator (Contemporary) for the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection. Based at the beautiful and historic 19th Century Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London, I worked with Curator Dr. Dora Thornton on the acquisitions and commissioning of contemporary silver and jewellery as part of the Collections team. This was a job share with Dr. Irene Galandra Cooper, covering the maternity leave for full time Deputy Curator Dr. Frances Parton.
With my previous experience of working with many contemporary jewellers and silversmiths from the UK, I was well placed to offer my understanding of the field and build on relationships with makers - which is one of the most rewarding aspects of working as a curator. The role enabled me to meet and work with new makers, whilst also gaining an amazing insight and understanding of the existing historic and hugely important Company Collection - dating back to the thirteenth century.
The role also involved working with the Company’s exhibition designer Manuela Holfert on exhibition showcases - including for the late jewellery designer Wendy Ramshaw who’s life and work was celebrated at the Hall in late 2019, together with the acquisition of an extraordinary piece from her personal archive for the Collection.
Below you can see the acquisitions and commissions I was involved with during this very enjoyable twelve months at the Company, working with the Curator Dr. Dora Thornton. Each year with the help of Frances, Dora Thornton produces a publication outlining the acquisitions made to the Collection (details from which are included in the captions below each image):
Supporting Contemporary Makers, Acquisitions for the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection 2019-20, London 2020, available online at https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/craft/collections/acquisitions
*Please note I have been granted permission to use these images. All images are copyright of The Goldsmiths’ Company and the photographers and cannot be copied or reproduced in any way.
'Flow' brooch, Louise O'Neill, 2019
18ct yellow gold, 1 baguette diamond.
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Hanna’ necklace, Joanne Thompson, 2019
925 Sterling silver, oxidised
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Two Rings’ Mark Nuell, 2019
18ct gold, green sapphire (4.72 carats), yellow sapphire (2.04 carats)
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Graduated Gold’ necklace, Maya Selway, 2019
18ct yellow gold graduating to 14ct gold and soft white gold; champagne, yellow and dusty pink diamonds
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Linear Brooch’, Anna Gordon, 2019
Oxidised silver, 18ct yellow gold
Photo: Clarissa Bruce - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Sun Dish’, Samuel Waterhouse, 2019
999 fine silver and various white, green and yellow golds
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Primavera’ (Spring) brooch, 2018
18ct gold and vitreous enamel
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Rolling Waves in Moonlight’ brooch, Ute Decker, 2017
18ct Fairtrade Gold (the first piece of Fairtrade Gold in the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection)
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Signature Ring’, Sarah Stafford, 2020
18ct yellow gold with 25 brilliant cut diamonds (0.7ct approx)
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
‘Three Cone Necklace’, Wendy Ramshaw, 1982
18ct gold and white Wedgwood jasperware
This significant piece, owned and worn by the late Wendy Ramshaw, and featured on the V&A exhibition poster ‘Avant-Garde’ in 1992, was acquired from the Scottish Gallery following new research for the retrospective display of the Company’s important collection of the maker’s work. The display was designed to accompany a memorial event in association with Wendy’s family, friends and former students at Goldsmiths’ Hall in November 2019.
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
COMMISSION - ‘Goldsmiths’ Cup’, Rauni Higson, 2019
925 sterling silver on a Welsh slate base.
Commissioned by the Goldsmiths’ Company for presentation to the Royal Navy’s latest aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, where it now resides. Curator Dora Thornton, deputy curatpr Irene Galandra Cooper and I had the privilege of delivering the cup to the ship in Portsmouth, in time for its commissioning in December 2019. This included a private tour of the mighty vessel, including a walk on the flight deck - it is immense!
Photo: Richard Valencia - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
COMMISSION - 'Micromosaic’ box, Patrick Davison, 2020
925 sterling silver and mixed metal copper.
With the 2019 Goldsmiths’ Fair exhibition of boxes from the Collection in mind, Patrick was commissioned to make a small hand-held hinged box, featuring his micromosaic technique. This commission was seen to completion by curator Dr. Dora Thornton and deputy curator Dr. Frances Parton after my temporary role had ended.
Photo: Clarissa Bruce - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection
COMMISSION - ‘Gin No Nagare (Flowing Silver) Carafe No.2, Martin Keane, 2021
958 Britannia silver, gilt interior
Martin’s carafe is skilfully raised from a single flat disc of silver, without seams. This commission was seen to completion by curator Dr. Dora Thornton and deputy curator Dr. Frances Parton after my temporary role had ended.
Photo: Clarissa Bruce - The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection