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

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 to a role that’s fully engaged with both historic and contemporary silver. Articles and books include “The Beauty of Silver” in Silver Speaks, 2016, and ‘Jewellery in the Wernher Collection’, in Jewellery History Today.  Also to be published this Spring is her book, Knole Revealed, which presents new discoveries made during the Inspired by Knole project by the National Trust, for which she was Lead Curator.

In addition, Dr Irene Galandra Cooper and Gregory Parsons will step-in as part-time consultants from April, 2019 to cover Dr Parton’s impending maternity leave.  Irene brings a wealth of experience to the role and a deep interest in the decorative arts, having worked most recently with the University of Cambridge and the Fitzwilliam Museum on their 2017 exhibition and research project, Madonnas and Miracles. Meanwhile, Gregory has previously worked on curatorial projects with both the Goldsmiths’ Company and the Goldsmiths’ Centre, including on our recent exhibition, Made For the Table, and is passionate about contemporary objects and building relationships with makers.

Dr Dora Thornton, Curator at the Goldsmiths’ Company and her team are delighted to be welcoming Frances, Irene and Greg at an exciting time for the Company, its collection and its wider engagement with contemporary and historic British silver.