Tuesday, March 19, 2024

HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Goldsmiths’ Hall

HRH The Prince of Wales strikes the Leopard’s Head mark onto a silver plate bearing a laser version image of the new Diamond Jubilee Mark

HRH The Prince of Wales accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, visited Goldsmiths’ Hall on Wednesday 23 February 2011 to meet apprentices, young silversmiths and jewellers, as well as Members of the Goldsmiths’ Company.

One of the highlights of their visit was a demonstration on Hallmarking. The Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company, Mr Michael Galsworthy introduced Their Royal Highnesses to members of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Assay Office including David Merry, Head of Assay Office Training, and two young Assay Office Apprentices, Robert Grant and Robert Hinson, who explained and demonstrated the Hallmarking process.

Their Royal Highnesses were also shown the new Diamond Jubilee mark which is to be officially launched in July 2011 in celebration of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. This special commemorative hallmark, approved by the British Hallmarking Council, depicts a young Queen Elizabeth wearing an oversized crown in a diamond shaped surround. This optional mark will be available from all four UK Assay Offices in combination with a statutory hallmark from 1 July 2011.

His Royal Highness was then invited to strike the Leopard’s Head, the mark of the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office – the premier hallmark in the UK – onto a small sterling silver plate bearing a laser version of the Diamond Jubilee mark, in addition to the three other marks which comprise the hallmark. Robert Hinson assisted him by holding the silver plate steady while His Royal Highness, observed by The Duchess of Cornwall, struck the Leopard’s head mark with a hammer, in the manner of hand-marking used for centuries. The silver plate was then presented to The Prince of Wales as a souvenir of his visit to Goldsmiths’ Hall.

The Goldsmiths’ Company has for more than 700 years been responsible for hallmarking precious metal articles. In fact the word hallmark originates from the fifteenth century when London craftsmen were first required to bring their wares to Goldsmiths’ Hall for assaying and marking. Today more than 5 million precious metal items are hallmarked by the Assay Office each year and the Company is particularly proud of its historic role, which remains as relevant today as it ever has been, in safeguarding the interests of the consumer.

Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden and Head of the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office said: “The application of a hallmark is a skill that has been passed down through the centuries with apprentices learning their craft from their masters.   It is as important today as ever to ensure that the highest possible quality of marking is maintained.   We were delighted that the Prince chose to try his hand at hallmarking to appreciate for himself the high level of skills involved.  His Royal Highness hallmarked a silver plate bearing the image that will be used for the forthcoming Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Hallmark.  In effect, he has hallmarked the first piece of silver bearing this mark.”

Before leaving Goldsmiths’ Hall, His Royal Highness, thanked the Goldsmiths’ Company and expressed his admiration for the work and many initiatives that the Company undertakes to ensure that the skills and crafts of the goldsmith are maintained and developed. In addition, His Royal Highness wished the Company great success with the new Goldsmiths’ Centre.
The Prince is an Honorary Member of the Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths’ Company and has been a liveryman since 1981. His Royal Highness last visited the Hall in February 2005. This was The Duchess of Cornwall’s first official visit to Goldsmiths’ Hall.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

257FansLike
120FollowersFollow
1FollowersFollow
1,173FollowersFollow
- Advertisement -

Please Donate

The Hockley Flyer magazine if entirely funded by the advertising, but we could always do with a little bit more funding. The advertising not only pays for the design/printing, but also postage, delivery, all the associated paperwork/accounts, and research for the Heritage section. Our subscribers pay only a bit more then the postage/mailing costs, and the magazines are free - no cover price.



Subscribe to News Digest

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Sign up to for awesome content in your inbox with latest updates in a daily digest.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Latest Articles

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x