Set out below are a selection of current and forthcoming exhibitions and lectures that the Society believes may be of interest. Please note that the organisation of these events is independent of the Society.
UK Exhibitions and Events
The Manx museum, Douglas will be holding a major exhibition celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Manx designer and artist Archibald Knox, whilst exploring how the Isle of Man’s unique cultural heritage inspired his work.
The Exhibition includes a large body of Knox’s silver and jewellery work retailed through Liberty & Co. The Exhibition opens with a symposium on the 5th April which will include several lecture son Knox’s silver.
- Date 05/04/2025 — 01/03/2026
- Location Manx Museum, Douglas
https://manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/detail/knox-order-beauty
Goldsmiths’ Fair: Week One: 23-28 September | Week Two: 30 September – 5 October
https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/
Follow this link for upcoming events at The Goldsmiths’ Centre
https://www.goldsmiths-centre.org/whats-on/
Follow this link for upcoming events at The Goldsmiths’ Company including tours, lectures, and other experiences.
Tea & Talk: Arts & Crafts to Art Deco Women Artist-Designers
Date: 14th October
Time: 1400 – 1500
Location: Lotherton Hall, Leeds
A talk by Professor Stephen Pudney entitled ‘Arts & Crafts to Art Deco Women Artist-Designers’ It will take place at Lotherton Hall, Leeds in October and will feature silver made by women, particularly focussed on those working in the north but also featuring those in the Leeds Museums and Galleries collections. Further details at the link below.
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance
King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
11 April to 23 November 2025
Open: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm
Curated by Kathryn Jones
A major exhibition at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace which opens in April will explore the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary, and will cover their family lives and personal collecting as well as the glittering social circles in which they moved, their global travels and spectacular royal events.
Unseen Treasures of the Portland Collection at The Harley Gallery, Welbeck. Running until 31 December 2025. This exhibition offers a new look at the world-class Portland Collection of art. There will be silver and tapestry, paintings and jewels; art that has come home after a long loan to a prestigious national gallery, and stunning star items that visitors know and love – such as Michelangelo’s ‘Madonna of Silence’ or the pearl earring worn by Charles I at his execution. Tickets: Free. More information and booking via this link.
Goldsmiths’ Hall Tours
Home to the Goldsmiths’ Company – one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London – Goldsmiths’ Hall was designed by Philip Hardwick and opened with a grand banquet in July 1835.
Over the last 189 years the Hall has seen many splendid celebrations, fantastic dinners, informative lectures, spectacular exhibitions, fabulous fairs, exhilarating film shoots and an untold number of very important visitors, including actors, celebrities, politicians, members of the Royal Family, and now you!
In 2025, we are giving you the chance to experience the palatial grandeur of our grade one listed building on a 60-minute guided tour of its principal rooms with our Librarians and Archivists, and to see some of the treasures from our collection under the guidance of our Curators. A rare opportunity to step inside one of the City of London’s hidden treasures that is not regularly open to the public, on a site that has been home to the Goldsmiths’ Company for seven centuries!
Tickets are priced at £10 per person. Proceeds will go towards supporting the development of vocational skills and training in our trade and craft through the 1327 charitable fund.
International Exhibitions and Events
Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork
Dates: March 2, 2024–January 11, 2026
Location: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery | Gallery 22
Collection Area: Contemporary Art, Japanese Art
‘The Metal stamp’d by honest Fame’ Gold and Silver Boxes in Dublin 1632-1830 – Dublin Castle (until 31st March) Link
Silversmiths of Lier
Now on and running until 21 September 2025 at the Stads Museum, Lier, Belgium is the exhibition “Silversmiths of Lier”.
From a simple spoon to an expensive salt cellar, from a simple chalice to an impressive reliquary. Centuries ago, a handful of silversmiths made utensils for the church and the bourgeoisie of the city of Lier. Dive into the history of silver craft and discover the beautiful silverwork of Lier makers. The publication by Marc Mees, Liers Zilver published by the Liers Historical Society accompanies the exhibition. Full details at the link below.
https://www.stadsmuseumlier.be/content/eeuwen-zilver-smeden-lier