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Head of David Fowkes Jewellery Climbs New Heights

Dr Rona Mackenzie, Chief Operating Officer of jewellery designer, David Fowkes, is to embark upon the challenge of a lifetime in order to support UK innovators in business. Rona has pledged to climb the highest points in each of the seven continents of the world, starting with Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, last month. All funds raised by Rona will support a new charity, D3, launched to help support businessmen and women in getting creative, innovative and dynamic projects off the ground. David Fowkes is generously supporting D3 through the creation of a unique, handmade piece of jewellery

Dr Tristram Hunt announced as new Director of the V&A

The V&A Trustees have today (13 January) appointed Dr Tristram Hunt as the new Director of the V&A. Tristram has served as Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010, and was previously the Shadow Secretary of State and Shadow Minister for Education. A historian, politician, writer and broadcaster, Tristram is an expert on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with a particular focus on Victorian urban history. He is the author of several books, including The English Civil War: At First Hand, and most recently Ten Cities That Made An Empire. A regular history broadcaster on BBC and Channel 4, Tristram

Appointment: Dr Frances Parton new Deputy Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company

The Goldsmiths Company has announced that Dr Frances Parton has been appointed as Deputy Curator in the Collections Team. Frances Parton has a long and established career in the museum and heritage sector, having most recently spent time in curatorial roles with The National Trust, English Heritage and the V&A. She brings to the role a wealth of knowledge in decorative arts, contemporary and historic metalwork, silver and jewellery. With a PhD and MPhil from Cambridge University, a BA from Durham University and a track record of well received publications, Frances brings an impressive breadth of knowledge and distinctive perspective

Appointment: Dr Timothy Schroder makes history being elected Prime Warden for second term

The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced that Dr Timothy Schroder has been elected Prime Warden. Dr Schroder, who previously served in the role during 2015-16, is the first member of the Goldsmiths’ Company to be appointed Prime Warden for a second term since 1951, when Walter Godfrey Allen served two consecutive years. Timothy Schroder was born in 1953 and educated in Oxford, where he attended St Edward’s School and Christ Church at Oxford University. At Christ Church he read philosophy and theology, before going on to specialise in the decorative arts, completing a Diploma at the Study Centre for the History

Jewellery from the Orient: Treasures from the Dr. Bir Collection: Treasures from the Bir Collection

News Edit: 14 April 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news... Tributes paid to talented Newton Mearns jeweller who had proud royal connection Barrhead News: An East Renfrewshire jeweller who designed pieces for the Queen has died at the age of 69. barrheadnews.com Jeweller unveils world´s largest square emerald cut diamond Daily Mail: A London-based luxury jeweller has unveiled what is said to be the world’s largest square emerald cut diamond. dailymail.co.uk Jeweller unveils world’s largest square emerald cut diamond BT: The Graff Lesedi La Rona was cut and polished from the second-largest rough diamond ever found. home.bt.com De Grisogono Salutes

Herbert Hofmann Prize 2020

The International Craft Fair in Munich, planned from March 11th to 15th, was unfortunately cancelled due to the spread of the coronavirus. Nevertheless, for the 47th time the coveted Herbert Hofmann Prize of the SCHMUCK special show was awarded to three goldsmiths and jewellery designers writes Ilaria Ruggiero. The jury, consisting of Prof. Otto Künzli from Munich, Prof. Jantje Fleischhut from Düsseldorf, Dr. Gert Bruckner from the Danner Foundation Munich and Dr. Sabine Runde from Frankfurt, met virtually on Friday, March 13, 2020 to select the three award winners: Melanie Isverding and Katrin Feulner from Germany and Carla Nuis from the

Silent Protest: Jewellery & Activism Exhibition @ Goldsmiths' Fair

Silent Protest: Jewellery & Activism Exhibition @ Goldsmiths' Fair Week One: 26 September to 1 October | Week Two: 3 October to 8 October 2023 Goldsmiths Fair, Goldsmiths' Hall This exhibition not only showcases a multitude of internationally recognised and renowned, design-led political messaging, it also illustrates how jewellery with meaning is never ‘alternative’ curated by Dr Mahtab Hanna. Exhibits on show by artists such as: Dr Mahtab Hanna, UK, Farish Alborzkouh, Iran, Boris Bally, USA, Karin Paynter, UK, Ai Wei Wei, China, Mah Rana, UK, Ruudt Peters, Netherlands, Lin Cheung, UK, Ted Noten, Netherlands, BYCHARI USA In the world today

Max Carocci Lecture

'Precious Metals-Precious Stones: Symbolism and Technologies of Precolumbian Jewellery' Lecture by Max Carocci Tuesday 11 October 2022, 18:00 – 20:00 What are the reasons for a culture to produce jewels from very specific raw materials? How do we make sense of the inordinate use of certain metals? What causes certain societies to value certain metals over others? Through examples drawn from the exceptional creativity and craftmanship of Precolumbian master jewellers, we address these and other questions related to the meanings, symbolism, and values differently associated with jewellery, and how they work in society. About the Lecturer: British Museum-based Dr. Max Carocci

Goldsmiths’ Company announces new acquisitions for 2020/2021

The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced its latest acquisitions from the last year for its Collection, which comprises works of art of world class importance. The acquisitions reinforce the Company’s support for contemporary makers through commissions and purchases, in what has been a challenging year for British craftspeople. Dr Dora Thornton, Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company says that the report of acquisitions reveals extraordinary examples of work made for the Collection. “Our commissions, and purchases recognise and celebrate the quality and handmaking skills of our craft. All the pieces contribute to our wider understanding of contemporary jewellery and silver. They tell

Emerging Silversmith Residency - February 2025

Emerging Silversmith Residency - February 2025 The Hugo Burge Foundation Berwick Upon Tweed We are looking for an emerging silversmith (min. 3 years postgraduate) to join us for a residency in February 2025. The successful applicant will be given access to the workshop including a personal bench, accommodation onsite and a weekly stipend of £350. During their time with us, the visiting resident will also be joining the community of emerging silversmiths who are supported by The Marchmont Silversmithing workshop as well as other makers and creators on-site and will also be offered mentorship from Creative Director Dr James Fox.

Deputy Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office Retires

The Deputy Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office in London, Dr Robert Organ, is to retire after 21 years of service. Robert began his career at the Goldsmiths’ Company in 2000 as Superintendent Assayer of the London Assay Office, before taking over as Deputy Warden (Managing Director-equivalent) in 2006. The Goldsmiths’ Company has been responsible for guaranteeing the purity of items made of precious metals since 1300, when the hallmarking statute was passed. Commenting on his retirement, Robert said, “It has been a privilege and honour to serve as Deputy Warden. I have taken great pride in adding to

Chaumet launch ‘Chaumet In The Sky’ app

To celebrate the launch of the Haute Joaillerie collection ‘Les Ciels de Chaumet’, the high jewellery house has unveiled ‘Chaumet In The Sky’, a mobile application available on iTunes. The app acts as a playful immersion of the celestial sphere, and helps the browser to discover constellations, planets and the jewelery creations of ‘Ciels de Chaumet’, stars among the stars. “Opal comets appear among the stars, diamond stars illuminate the blue of the night...” Developed in collaboration with Dr. Patrick Michel, world-renowned astrophysicist and CNRS researcher, the application ‘Chaumet In The Sky’ makes it possible, by orienting your phone towards

Richard Fox takes office in a challenging year as 'Trade' Prime Warden

The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to announce that Richard Fox, Managing Director of Fox Silver, has taken office as Prime Warden, in succession to Dr Timothy Schroder. With a background in silversmithing, design and business leadership, Richard has successfully created beautiful silverware for the likes of Formula One and Rolls Royce for almost four decades. His primary focus will be championing the trade of silversmiths, jewellers and allied industries during his year in office. Richard’s distiguished career as a silversmith started as an extra-curriclar activity at school, but soon became “an all-consuming passion”. After gaining a Master’s degree in design

Luxury in the Age of Technology

Call for Papers: The 4th international In Pursuit of Luxury (IPOL) Conference Milan, Italy 28 - 29 May 2020 'Luxury in the Age of Technology' This 2020 conference provides a platform to continue to expand our understanding of luxury. As with previous conferences we welcome contributions from various disciplines and practices including automotive, architecture, engineering, fashion, product, digital design, retail, hospitality - all of which explore luxury through a critical lens to encourage debate. The 2020 IPOL conference will be held in collaboration with the Design Department - Politecnico di Milano / co-chaired by Associate Professor, Dr Chiara Colombi Our key

The 4th international In Pursuit of Luxury (IPOL) Conference

The 4th international In Pursuit of Luxury (IPOL) Conference Milan, Italy 28 - 29 May 2020 'Luxury in the Age of Technology' This 2020 conference provides a platform to continue to expand our understanding of luxury. As with previous conferences we welcome contributions from various disciplines and practices including automotive, architecture, engineering, fashion, product, digital design, retail, hospitality - all of which explore luxury through a critical lens to encourage debate. The 2020 IPOL conference will be held in collaboration with the Design Department - Politecnico di Milano / co-chaired by Associate Professor, Dr Chiara Colombi Our key questions: How is

Royal College of Art ranked world's top art & design university for fifth year

The RCA leads the table of 200 of the world’s top universities for the study of art and design in the 2019 QS World University Subject Rankings, ahead of much larger institutions around the globe. The ranking consolidates its position as the world’s internationally renowned art and design university, offering unrivalled opportunities in art and design. Dr Paul Thompson, Vice-Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, said: ‘I’m proud and honoured that the Royal College of Art has been recognised as the world’s number one university for art and design for the fifth year in succession. ‘As a small, specialist

Susie Freeman, Martin Smith and Jane Adam @ Ruthin

Susie Freeman, Martin Smith and Jane Adam @ Ruthin Ruthin Craft Centre 18 January – 29 March 2020 Gallery 1: Susie Freeman: WOWI + A Retrospective of work by Susie Freeman including Pharmacopoeia with Dr Liz Lee Susie established herself as a textile artist of great originality early in her career. As a postgraduate student at the Royal College of Art, following Manchester School of Art where she had studied weaving, she invented a knitted network of pockets using a monofilament thread: into each small transparent pocket she dropped a tiny object before safely sealing them with a further row

Experts share insight on non-essential retail shops reopening and provide reassurance on how to shop safely

This week, all non-essential retail shops re-opened after 12 weeks of closure since the COVID-19 outbreak. Hundreds of thousands of non-essential retail shops across England are set to reopen including Shopping centres and shops will look and operate differently compared to three months ago, when the public were last shopping in them. To inform the public on what to expect and showcase the new changes that have been implemented, shopping expert and TV star Gok Wan along with media doctor Dr Zoe Williams were granted early access to some stores on London’s iconic Oxford Street to find out more before they

Make Your Mark Awards 2019 Winners Announced

Now in its third year, the Make Your Mark award ceremony, organised by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, was held on Tuesday as part of the wider Make Your Mark event. The event, and the competition, were designed to celebrate and promote the British Hallmark. As the event is largely geared towards newcomers to the trade, the competition has two entrance categories, one for industry members who completed their training within the last 5 years, and one to accommodate those who are a little earlier in their careers, for students and apprentices. Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden of the

It's In Our Hands - One Year On, Ethical Making Symposium

It's In Our Hands - One Year On, Ethical Making Symposium This Symposium is aimed primarily at jewellers and silversmiths, but is relevant to makers of all disciplines who have an interest in adopting an ethical approach in their practice. Speakers Speakers will include award winning British Fairtrade ethical jeweller and environmental activist, Greg Valerio MBE; jeweller Ute Decker; researcher Dr Peter Oakley; founder of the Precious Metals Workshop, Ian Nicholson; and Jane Barnett and Theodora Panayides of consultancy and social venture, Levin Sources. Speakers will discuss the importance of implementing an ethical approach and how to face the challenges

The Creative Business

‘The Creative Business’ is a collaborative research project setup by artist and creative producer Antonia Beck, and Dr Jacob Salder (Centre for Enterprise, Innovation and Growth, Birmingham City University). This project will look to better understand business practice in the creative sector, specifically focusing on arts / performance-based creative industries. The objective of the project is to support and examine development for arts-based businesses, in particular how this relates to and can be informed by more mainstream approaches. It is expected this project will contribute toward enhancing understanding of the development needs of arts-based creative industries, and through this inform

The Textures of Craft, Heritage Crafts Association Annual Conference

The Textures of Craft, Heritage Crafts Association Conference Kaffe Fassett, worldwide authority on textiles and colour, is keynote speaker at The Textures of Craft, the conference of the Heritage Crafts Association on Saturday 6th May 2017. Kaffe kicks off a spectacular day when craftspeople and anyone interested in the UK’s rich heritage of traditional skills can hear from makers, browse the Instant Gallery, celebrate the best craftspeople in the country and find out more about the Heritage Crafts Association’s research into endangered crafts: The Radcliffe Red List. Other speakers include archaeologist, historian and TV presenter Dr Alex Langlands, potters Lisa Hammond

It's In Our Hands - The Future of Ethical Making in Scotland

It's In Our Hands - The Future of Ethical Making in Scotland by The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust and DJCAD at the University of Dundee This Symposium on Ethical Making is aimed primarily at jewellers and silversmiths, but is relevant to makers of all disciplines who have an interest in adopting an ethical approach in their practice. The day will be animated by a fantastic panel of speakers, including Greg Valerio MBE, award winning British fair trade ethical jeweller and environmental activist; jeweller Ute Decker; silversmith Karen Westland; Tim Ingle of ethical jewellery brand Ingle & Rhode; researcher Dr Peter Oakley

Big Names Get Set for Make Your Mark

The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office has announced the line-up for the first ever Make Your Mark Q&A Panel of Experts. “We are introducing the Panel this year in response to the huge popularity of talks at previous Make Your Mark events,” explains Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office. “The success of Make Your Mark in 2014 and 2015 proved that there is huge demand for advice and inspiration among students wanting to set out on careers in precious metals and so this year, alongside the very popular talks by Theo Fennell and Michael Wainwright -