Twentieth-century treasures - goldwork; Goldsmiths' Hall, London, England - Brief Article

Magazine Antiques, May, 2000 by Miriam Kramer

The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, chartered as a tradesmen's guild by Edward III (r. 1327-1377) in 1327, has occupied its current site in the City of London since 1339. One of the company's most important functions, then as now, is marking gold and silver to a certain standard. This was done in Goldsmiths' Hall and gave rise to the word hallmark. Over the past seven hundred years the company has accumulated a collection of some eight thousand precious objects by donation, purchase, or commission.

An exhibition entitled Treasures of the Twentieth Century: Spectacular Silver; Jewellery and Art Medals, drawn from the company's collection, will be on view at Goldsmiths' Hall from May 25 until July 21. Some 570 objects "celebrate the work of the 20th-century designer-craftsman and highlights the important role played by the Goldsmiths' Company as patron of its craft," according to Rosemary Ransome Wallis, the curator of the exhibition.

Among the well-known names that appear in the sections devoted to the earlier decades of the century are Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934), who is represented by a silver cup and cover dating from 1937; Omar Ramsden, who is represented by candlesticks, vases, spoons, and bowls (one illustrated at lower left); decanters and spoons by Liberty and Company; and Eric Gill (1882-1940), whose work includes an alms dish as well as a plaque, both made in 1930.

The catalogue, which includes a directory of twentieth-century hallmarks researched by Amelia Fearn, was written by Ms. Ransome Wallis and can be ordered by telephoning 44-20-7606-7010.