Exhibitions • Expositions

SILVER AND THE CHURCH : Treasures from London Churches
April 19 – May 15, 2004

The Goldsmiths' Company, Foster Lane, London, England

Bishop's crosier, silver and silver-gilt, London, 1891. Modelled on Bishop Fox's 15th century crosier at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, the crosier incorporates miniature figures of London's most famous bishops.

The Goldsmiths’ Company in London will be holding a spectacular exhibition of church silver, in celebration of the 14th centenary of the foundation of St Paul’s Cathedral and the re-organisation of the diocese of London. SILVER AND THE CHURCH – Treasures from London Churches, will be open to the public, free of charge, from Monday, April 19 to Saturday, May 15, 2004.

The Goldsmiths’ Company is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. Dedicated to promoting excellence in the design and craftsmanship of silver and jewellery, it is also responsible for the statutory function of hallmarking gold and silver articles by operating the London Assay office, a function, which began in 1300.

The exhibition will demonstrate the strong links, which have existed between goldsmiths of London and the Church through the past 1400 years, with an emphasis on contemporary church silver, including important commissions.

Timothy Schroder, the Curator of the exhibition, historian of silver and a member of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, said: “This exhibition is more than a display of magnificent works of art. It will mirror the history of London and show how pious gifts of great objects reflects the faith of its citizens.”

Alms dish, silver-gilt, London, 1683. Decorated with the last supper, the centrepiece of a magnificent baroque altar set. Loaned from St James's Piccadilly.

Silver in the exhibition ranges from across the history of the diocese. Historic items include extraordinary survivals from the Middle Ages, magnificent silver-gilt altar sets from the 17th and 18th centuries and superb jewelled vessels together with ecclesiastical jewellery from the High Victorian Gothic revival, all evoking the tradition, symbolism and ritual of the Church.

Superb objects, many hardly ever seen in public, have been graciously loaned by the Bishop of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and parish churches across the Diocese of London.

An impressive 18th century group of church plate originally from St Martin-in-the-Fields, which was sold in the 1970s, will be reunited especially for the exhibition. The group, which was bequeathed by a wealthy parishioner, in 1746, includes a ewer and basin and a magnificent pair of flagons. The flagons will be lent from the Gilbert Collection at Somerset House and the ewer and dish by a private collector in the United States.

Chalice and paten, silver and silver-gilt, London, 1504 and 1507. One of the earliest surviving medieval chalices in England. Loaned from West Drayton Church.

The exhibition will also provide the rare opportunity to admire another important group of church plate, which was given by Lady Dudley in 1639 to St Mary’s Church, Acton. This magnificent group includes a chalice and paten, a flagon and a ciborium and cover, all richly chased with exotic motifs.

Among the contemporary silver, which demonstrates the continuing tradition of expressing faith through beautifully crafted objects, is an altar set in silver gilt and enamel commissioned by the Goldsmiths’ Company from Gerald Benney for St Paul’s Cathedral and a bishop’s crosier designed by Paolo Guidi and made by Nicholas Plumber in 1992, for the Right Rev Dr Richard Chartres, now Bishop of London, when he was consecrated Bishop of Stepney. The silver crosier is an exceptionally striking piece, adorned with entwined serpents and inspired by crosiers of the Coptic church making it particularly unusual.

The Bishop of London, the Right Rev Dr Richard Chartres, has said: “I am delighted that the Goldsmiths’ Company has decided to hold an exhibition of Church Plate to celebrate the 14th centenary of the foundation of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Diocese of London. The magnificent interior of Goldsmiths’ Hall with its associations with the history of working in precious metals makes the best location `for this exhibition”.

All photos courtesy of The Goldsmiths' Company