 Goldsmiths' arms: Quarterly Gules and Azure in the first and fourth quarters a Leopard's Face Or in the second and third quarters a Covered Cup and in chief two Round Buckles the tongues fesswise points to the dexter all of the Third. The Company'shallmark forgold is a Leopard's Face ducally crowned. | |
| Motto | Justitia Virtutum Regina |
|---|---|
| Location | Goldsmiths' Hall, London EC2, England |
| Date of formation | 1327; 698 years ago (1327) |
| Company association | Gold andsilversmithing |
| Order of precedence | 5th |
| Master of company | Brig. Ed ButlerCBE DSO (Prime Warden for 2025/26)[1] |
| Website | thegoldsmiths |
TheWorshipful Company of Goldsmiths (commonly known asThe Goldsmiths' Company and formally styledThe Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London),[2] is one of theGreat Twelve Livery Companies of theCity of London, headquartered atGoldsmiths' Hall,London EC2.[3]
Thecompany, which originates from twelfth-century London, received aRoyal Charter in 1327 and ranks fifth inprecedence of the City Livery Companies.
Itsmotto isJustitia Virtutum Regina,Latin forJustice is Queen of Virtues.
Established as amedievalguild for thegoldsmithtrade, the termhallmarking derives fromprecious metals being officially inspected and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall in theCity of London. They were an influential guild, supplying more than 50Lord Mayors of London.[4]
Itsguild church ofSt John Zachary inMaiden Lane inCovent Garden was destroyed in theGreat Fire of London in 1666.[5]
In 1812, twentyalmshouses were built on the former Perryn estate inActon,[6] on land bequeathed to the company byAlderman John Perryn in 1657.[7][8]
In 1891, the Goldsmiths' Company founded theGoldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute, becomingGoldsmiths' College thenGoldsmiths, University of London.
One of the few Livery Companies today playing a formal role in its ancient trade, it overseesthe Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, where objects made of precious metals are tested for purity, and then marked with an officialsymbol should they pass the necessarytests. At theTrial of the Pyx, the Goldsmiths' Company is also responsible for checking the validity ofBritish coinage.
The Goldsmiths' Company also maintains alibrary andarchive for those wishing to research goldsmithing, silversmithing andhallmarking.
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In 2012 the Goldsmiths’ Centre, a space for workshops, exhibitions and events, and education including apprentice training, opened inClerkenwell.[3][13]
In July 2017, the Goldsmiths' Company announced it was to become a founding partner of the newMuseum of London, donating £10 million to the new site.[14] It also announced a contribution of £250,000 toWestminster Abbey for theQueen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which opened in 2018.[15]
The Goldsmiths’ Company supports two large educational initiatives, providing funding for a science initiative in primary schools created byImperial College London[16] and theNational Theatre’s programme of streamed recordings for primary schools.[17]
51°30′57″N0°05′45″W / 51.5158°N 0.0957°W /51.5158; -0.0957
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