Silversmithing, Jewellery & the Allied Crafts

The Goldsmiths’ Company has published British Silversmithing: Understanding the Sector, a report that provides a foundational evidence base on industry challenges and opportunities and sets out a series of recommendations for how these might be addressed.

The publication of the report follows a five-month programme of research led by Karin Paynter, commissioned by Annie Warburton, CEO and Clerk of the Goldsmiths’ Company, with the support of the London Assay Office.

Drawing on an industry-wide survey, interviews and focus groups with commercially active silversmiths, alongside hallmarking and official data sources, the report offers a foundational assessment of the sector, examines how it operates in practice and identifies key risks, opportunities and priorities to inform future strategic planning, leadership and investment.

Over the coming months, the Goldsmiths’ Company will begin working with partners across the industry to develop a long-term strategic framework for the sector. This process will focus on identifying priorities, building consensus and exploring practical interventions that can strengthen British silversmithing over the coming years. We recognise that success will depend on continued engagement from across the sector and we look forward to working together to shape the next phase of this work.

Read Report

Early training and technical foundations:

• BTEC HND (Distinction) Silversmithing Medway 1995, trained by trade silversmiths Norman Bassant, Ian Calvert, Bob May, Andy Putland and Brian Hill before completing an MA in Design at the Royal College of Art in 2000, specialising in early CAD/CAM techniques and production.
• MA (Distinction) Royal College of Art, trained by David Watkins, Michael Rowe, Rebecca de Quin, Bob May, Andy Putland continuing with silversmithing and exploring early CAD/CAM techniques.

Experience:

• Research Assistant position at Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art studying haptics in collaboration with Reachin Technologies, Sweden.
• Design Assistant and Production Manager, Tateossian London – 4 years
• I joined the Goldsmiths’ Company in 2003 as Assistant to the Director Technology & Training, supporting trade training and apprenticeship schemes and technical research.
• Secured government and support for my business for sector-wide collaboration through GrowthAccelerator funding.

Goldsmiths’ Company Technology & Training Department – nine years

• Goldsmiths Company Apprenticeship
• Live Masterclasses and Film Masterclass production
• Editor & Researcher, Technical Journal
• Goldsmiths’ Company (TAC) research papers
• Goldsmiths’ Centre senior management team
• Technology & Training Committee

Key Projects:

• Conceived and directed Silvers Speaks programme in 2015 negotiating collaboration with the V&A and inviting Corinne Julius to curate the focal exhibition Idea to Object
• Selling exhibition for Contemporary British Silversmiths achieved highest ever sale of contemporary craft at Bonhams with Kevin Grey’s Animus.
• Introduced public silversmithing demonstrations to the V&A for the first time.
• Development of CBS Skills Training Programme and South House Workshop Trust

Karin Paynter Ltd: 

• Co-created modular training programmes for Contemporary British Silversmiths.
• Helped develop graduate and apprenticeship initiatives through the South House Workshop Trust.
• Conceived and delivered the national silversmithing campaign, Silver Speaks, including exhibitions at the V&A and 24 nationwide events – reaching new audiences and helping to reposition contemporary silver on the cultural map.
• Established the first live silversmithing demonstrations at the V&A, bringing the craft to life for the public.

Impact: Public engagement with contemporary silver reached new levels, and into multiple design and interior magazines and resulted in the headline ‘Silverware is back in Vogue’ in the Times newspaper. Achieved record sale at Bonhams for applied art with Kevin Grey’s Animus.

Strategy, Research and Sector Advocacy

• Trustee and advisor to national craft organisations, ensuring long-term investment in professional skills training and innovation and supported Bishopsland’s move to a National Trust property.
• Co-Founded Silver Everyday in 2020 as a platform for research, advocacy and strategic development.
• Currently leading British Silversmithing: Understanding the Sector – the first comprehensive mapping of the UK silversmithing landscape.

Professional Skills Training
Ensuring the transmission of knowledge from master makers to new entrants.

Research
Establishing a data-driven understanding of the sector’s needs and opportunities.

Visibility
Raising public and institutional awareness of contemporary silver.

Impact

• Helped protect and preserve vital skills for future generations in silversmithing and the allied trades through developing training inititives and recording skills.
• Elevated the visibility of contemporary silver through landmark exhibitions and campaigns.
• Strengthened cross-sector networks between craftspeople, trade associations, museums, educators and funders.

Future

• Completing the research study on British silversmithing sector.
• Launching new resources and partnerships to support professional makers.
• Advocating for long-term investment and recognition of silversmithing and the allied trades as a vital part of the UK’s cultural economy.

My aim is to help strengthen the conditions in which British silversmithing can be made, commissioned, collected, and valued over time