Previous Prize Winner

Giovanni Corvaja - Brooch 1990 (70x20x20mm)
"I won that prize when I was very young and early in my career and it was very important for me. It gave me a boost of enthusiasm and optimism as well as a material help in my studies. I am very grateful to the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers."
(Photograph by Franco Storti)
GSWD Second Prize

Tracy Franklin - Gold Embroidery
Reproduced by kind premission of The Royal School of Needlwork

Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Awards

The Worshipful Company of Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers trace their origins to medieval times and to the ancient trade of making the gold and silver wire used in embroidery, notably of uniforms and ceremonial costumes. While the craft has declined over the centuries, it is still practised by some of the finest embroiderers and artisans. The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers are particularly keen to maintain their links with the trade and to support young crafts people working in gold and silver wire. 

In 2012, in conjunction with the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council, which promotes excellence in the gold and silver trades, the Company will sponsor one of the major awards in the fine jewellery section. The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Company will present a new prize of £1,000, which will cover two qualifying sections of the Crafts Council Awards in fashion jewellery:

Fashion and Conceptual Jewellery
(Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Company Special award)

a)  Production Jewellery
Entries in this section are encouraged to incorporate the innovative use of wires (precious and non-precious) in an item of production jewellery.

Entries will be primarily judged on their potential for reproduction as successful multiples through the identified production technique/s (eg. casting, laser, jig-making, production, machining, etc.) that are inherently critical within production jewellery.

b) Gallery Jewellery
Innovative fashion jewellery in any non-precious materials.

We are looking for innovative new work that demonstrates the versatility of the  material and the creativity of its maker. Some of the leading contemporary jewellers working today do so in wire, such as Gill Galloway-Whitehead, Catherine Martin, Tom Rucker, Andrew Lamb and Giovanni Corvaja. We hope this may encourage the use of wire among the best jewellers of tomorrow.

Printed entry forms for the 2012 competition are available now and may be collected from:

The Assay Office
Goldsmiths’ Hall
Gutter Lane
London
EC2V 8AQ
Tel: 020 7606 8971

and the other Assay Offices or contact Brian Marshall (Secretary, Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council) 01252 719004.

Click here to go to the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council website for more information.

Andrew Lamb - Necklace 'Changing Colour Series' (18ct yellow gold and silver wire - diameter 160mm)
(Photograph by Keith Leighton)

Gill Galloway-Whitehead - Brooches