The Bishop of London’s crosier designed by Paolo Guidi, made by Nicholas Plumber, London 1992
At Goldsmiths’ Hall, London EC2
Monday April 19 to Saturday May 15, 2004
THE GOLDSMITHS’ COMPANY held a spectacular exhibition in celebration of the 14th centenary of the foundation of St Paul’s Cathedral and the re-organisation of the diocese of London.
The exhibition demonstrated the strong links, which have existed between goldsmiths, London and the Church through the past 1400 years, with an emphasis on contemporary church silver, including important commissions by eminent British silversmiths.
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 mirrors the history of London and show how pious gifts of great objects reflects the faith of its citizens.”
Silver in the exhibition ranged 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, were 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, was 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 had been lent from the Gilbert Collection at Somerset House and the ewer and dish by a private collector in the United States.
The exhibition also provided 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 demonstrated the continuing tradition of expressing faith through beautifully crafted objects, was 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 Revd 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 Revd 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”.
