PRESS RELEASE The Goldsmiths’ Company becomes a Founding Partner of the new Museum of London and pledges £10m donation

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup, designed by Goldsmith R.Y. Goodden in 1953 is pictured in the Corporation of London’s current salt store, which by 2022 will have been transformed into galleries at the new Museum of London in West Smithfield with the Thameslink track running through them. Image © Museum of London. Collection: The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.

The Museum of London and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (one of the major City Livery Companies) today announced that the Goldsmiths' Company is to become a Founding Partner of the new Museum of London, due to open in West Smithfield in 2022.

The Goldsmiths' Company and its affiliated Charity have pledged £10 million to the Museum project. This landmark donation goes towards the Museum’s plans to create a spectacular new home for the history of London and its people in the beautiful but disused market buildings at West Smithfield. This follows the news earlier this year that the City of London Corporation and Mayor of London have together pledged £180 million. Counting the donation from the Goldsmiths’ Company and its affiliated Charity, the Museum has £60 million left to raise.

A gallery bearing the Goldsmiths’ name will be at the heart of the new Museum, showcasing the Cheapside Hoard together with highlights from the Company’s world-renowned Collection of historic and contemporary silver.

Judith Cobham-Lowe, Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company, said: "We are thrilled to be playing our part in the new Museum of London as a Founding Partner. The Cheapside Hoard will be on permanent display alongside some of the best examples of the goldsmiths’ craft spanning over 450 years."

Museum of London Director, Sharon Ament, said: “Historically London was the centre of the global goldsmithing trade. Today the world still looks to London, as a capital of creativity and design, for the latest jewellery and silver trends. It is a great pleasure to be working in partnership with such an august, innovative and long-standing institution as the Goldsmiths’ Company. Together we make a perfect partnership that couples ambition for the future with the long-view into the past, important qualities that will create an astounding experience for our visitors to the new Museum.”

Supporting the important work of the new Museum is part of the Goldsmiths' Company’s programme of philanthropic activity in the decade running up to its 700th anniversary celebrations in 2027.

-ENDS-

Notes for editors

For more press information please contact:

Laura Bates, PR Manager at the Museum of London on 020 7814 5511 / 07966 990816 or [email protected]

Martin Macdonald, Communications Manager, The Goldsmiths’ Company: 020 7367 5913 or [email protected]

About The Museum of London

The Museum of London tells the ever-changing story of this great world city and its people, from 450,000 BC to the present day. Our galleries, exhibitions, displays and activities seek to inspire a passion for London and provide a sense of the vibrancy that makes the city such a unique place.

The museum is open daily 10am – 6pm and is FREE to all, and you can explore the Museum of London with collections online – home to 90,000 objects with more being added. www.museumoflondon.org.uk.

The Goldsmiths’ Company

The Goldsmiths’ Company, one of the major City Livery Companies, received its first Royal Charter in 1327. Today the purpose of the Goldsmiths' Company is to contribute to British national life by supporting its related crafts, industry and trade and through wider charitable and educational activity. The Company’s Assay Office has been responsible for testing the quality of precious metals for over 700 years.

2012 saw the opening of the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell, a state-of-the-art facility comprised of workshops, training and exhibition space, and conference facilities.

The Company supports over 300 charitable causes and educational projects through its official Charity. The Goldsmiths’ Company’s collection of silver is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, with pieces dating from 1350 to the present day. The Company is the principal patron of UK contemporary jewellers and silversmiths, continuing to play an important role in support of the craft by funding apprenticeships, assisting with the technical training of aspiring designer-makers, and commissioning new work.

thegoldsmiths.co.uk / @GoldsmithsCo assayofficelondon.co.uk / @LondonAssay goldsmiths-centre.org / @GsmithsCentre thegoldsmithsdirectory.co.uk