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The Collections
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| The Bowes Cup and Cover,
hallmarked 1554 |
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Antique
Silver
During its history the Company viewed its Collection primarily
as a reserve fund in times of need, particularly with the exigencies
of the Civil War and the Great Fire. Silver items were not valued
for their antiquity then and only survived if they had a special
association with the Company. For example, The Bowes Cup, a
Prime Warden's gift in 1561, was believed to have been used
by Queen Elizabeth I at her Coronation banquet in 1558. Most
of the fine antique silver dating from 1493 was acquired in
the 20th century. |
Modern Silver
The Company's renowned Collection of 20th and 21st century silver
began in 1925. The purpose was to build an inspirational collection
of stylish, well-crafted work, commissioned or purchased from individual
designer-craftsmen. As a result of the Company's pioneering patronage
it has a unique collection of Art Deco and Arts and Crafts work by
leading craftsmen such as Omar Ramsden, Henry Wilson, J. Paul Cooper,
H.G. Murphy, Harold Stabler and R.M.Y. Gleadowe.
The Company has continued, since the Second World War, to be the major
patron of modern silver design, seeing the ascendancy of designer-silversmiths
to the same status as fine artists, becoming collectable in their
own right. For example Professor Gerald Benney, Stuart Devlin and
Robert Welch are icons for the next generation of artist-silversmiths
such as Rod Kelly, Kevin Coates, Alex Brogden and many more.
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| Willow and Trout
Water Jug, 1985, by Rod Kelly |
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| Bowl and Cover,
1931, by H.G. Murphy |
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| Brooch, 1963,
by John Donald |
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Modern
Jewellery
The modern jewellery collection began in 1961 following the
landmark International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery
1890-1961 at Goldsmiths' Hall. The continuing
patronage of individual designer and artist jewellers has seen
modern jewellery moving away from impersonal settings of magnificent
stones to break new ground as a personalised creative medium
of style. Leading jewellers include Andrew Grima, John Donald,
David Thomas, Wendy Ramshaw, Gerda Flöckinger and Jacqueline
Mina. |
Modern Art Medals
The contemporary art medal collection began in 1973 following the
acclaimed international exhibition Medals Today at Goldsmiths'
Hall. Its patronage of innovative medallic art, particularly portrait
medals, has promoted the art medal form in England back to its Italian
Renaissance status as hand-held sculpture in low relief. Leading art
medallists represented include Malcolm Appleby, Jane McAdam-Freud,
Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn, Ian Rank-Broadley, Philip Nathan and Jacqueline
Stieger.
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| Turner Medal, 1992,
by Philip Nathan |
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| Online database of suppliers, training courses and related
services for the jewellery industry |
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visit
the portal |
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| Browse through the work of over 220 of the UK's leading designer craftsmen or search for a specific piece of jewellery
or silver. |
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the site |
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