Availability
Marks of deception: tackling fakes & forgeries in antique British silver
Friday 11th April, 10:00
Goldsmiths' Hall, 13 Foster Lane, London EC2V 6BNHallmarking is one of the world's oldest forms of consumer protection – a guarantee to those buying and selling items made of precious metals that they have been expertly tested, and that the marks they bear truthfully reveal their composition – a proud responsibility of the Goldsmiths’ Company since 1327.
But where you have systems designed to protect buyers and sellers, you will also find those intent on acts of deception - cunning artificers, who create fakes and forgeries, not just of the objects, but of the hallmarks themselves.
To tackle the creation and sale of spurious silver articles and hallmarks, the Goldsmiths’ Company London Assay Office has run the internationally renowned Goldsmiths’ Hallmark Authentication Committee (GHAC) - formerly the Antique Plate Committee - since 1939. Comprising established experts in the field, it advises the London Assay Office on the authenticity of an article’s provenance based on the Hallmark, professional analysis of the object, and a scientific analysis of its metals.
In this one-day seminar at Goldsmiths’ Hall, you will:
But where you have systems designed to protect buyers and sellers, you will also find those intent on acts of deception - cunning artificers, who create fakes and forgeries, not just of the objects, but of the hallmarks themselves.
To tackle the creation and sale of spurious silver articles and hallmarks, the Goldsmiths’ Company London Assay Office has run the internationally renowned Goldsmiths’ Hallmark Authentication Committee (GHAC) - formerly the Antique Plate Committee - since 1939. Comprising established experts in the field, it advises the London Assay Office on the authenticity of an article’s provenance based on the Hallmark, professional analysis of the object, and a scientific analysis of its metals.
In this one-day seminar at Goldsmiths’ Hall, you will:
- Hear how the GHAC and the London Assay Office help to protect consumers and the trade from fakes and forgeries of Antique British Silver
- Discover the resources available within the Goldsmiths’ Company Library & Archive and learn how you can access them for free
- Explore the different types of fake British silver created over the centuries
- Learn how the Hallmarking Act applies to the world of Antique Silver
- Get hands-on experience with objects from the London Assay Office’s Fakes & Forgeries collection under the expert guidance of GHAC members.
Tickets are priced at £65 per person and include two servings of tea, coffee and biscuits during the day along with a lunchtime sandwich buffet.
Programme
- 10:00 – Doors open for Registration
- 10:30 – The role of the Goldsmiths’ Hallmark Authentication Committee - Dr Timothy Schroder, Chair of the GHAC
- 10:45 – Fakes in British Silver, c.1700 to today - Alastair Dickenson, special advisor to the GHAC and former expert on the BBC’s Antiques Road Show
- 11:45 – Tea & Coffee break
- 12:00 – Scientific testing and antique silver - Will Evans, Director of the London Assay Office
- 12:15 – Researching silver and hallmarks in the Goldsmiths’ Company Library & Archive - Eleni Bide, Goldsmiths’ Company Librarian
- 12:30 – Antique Silver and the Law - John Stirling, Law Clerk to Edinburgh Assay Office and GHAC member
- 13:00 – Q&A
- 13:15 – Lunch break
- 14:00 – Roundtable handling sessions of fakes and forgeries - hosted by members of the GHAC
- 16:00 – Concluding remarks - Dr Timothy Schroder, Chair of the GHAC
- 16:30 – Seminar ends
Terms & Conditions
- Tickets for “Marks of deception: tackling fakes & forgeries in antique British silver” are priced at £65 per person and are non-refundable
- Tickets must be booked in the name of the person who is attending - photo ID that matches the name on the booking will be required to gain entry
- Tea, Coffee, and water will be provided at registration and during the morning refreshment breaks. A buffet sandwich lunch will be provided. For health and safety reasons, additional food and drink cannot be brought into Goldsmiths’ Hall by visitors
Security & bag policy
Goldsmiths’ Hall operates Airport style enhanced security procedures for all public events - these include a bag scanner and a security arch. Suitcases and items larger than a laptop bag are not permitted inside the building. Our cloakroom, situated downstairs, can be used free of charge for coats, bags and umbrellas.
Disabled access to Goldsmiths’ Hall
The main entrance to Goldsmiths’ Hall is on Foster Lane and may not be suitable for visitors who require step-free access. Those who are require level access from street level should ring the bell on Carey Lane, for assistance and access by lift. If you have any concerns or questions about visiting the building, please email us.
The first floor Public Rooms can be accessed by lift from within the ground floor lobby.
A disabled toilet is situated beside the Ground Floor lift on the Ground Floor.
Goldsmiths’ Hall operates Airport style enhanced security procedures for all public events - these include a bag scanner and a security arch. Suitcases and items larger than a laptop bag are not permitted inside the building. Our cloakroom, situated downstairs, can be used free of charge for coats, bags and umbrellas.
Disabled access to Goldsmiths’ Hall
The main entrance to Goldsmiths’ Hall is on Foster Lane and may not be suitable for visitors who require step-free access. Those who are require level access from street level should ring the bell on Carey Lane, for assistance and access by lift. If you have any concerns or questions about visiting the building, please email us.
The first floor Public Rooms can be accessed by lift from within the ground floor lobby.
A disabled toilet is situated beside the Ground Floor lift on the Ground Floor.