Current Lecture Programme
Tuesdays at 6:00pm. Members and Guests.
Society of Antiquaries of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly W1J 0BE
If you are not a member, and would like to attend a lecture as a guest of the Society, click here to send your name, contact details, and the subject of the lecture you would like to attend. We will confirm your attendance by email. The Society welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining the Society further details can be given to you when you attend the lecture.
2012
28 February
Mark Emanuel
The Serjeants at Law and their rings.
For nearly 500 years the highest rank of barrister was the Serjeant at Law. Elevation to the dignity of Serjeant was marked by days of feasting, and by the candidates ‘giving gold’ in the form of rings. The best estimate is that over the centuries between one half and one tonne of gold was manufactured into rings. The rank of Serjeant disappeared at the end of the nineteenth century and, along with them, vanished most of their rings. This lecture aims to look at some of the 92 rings that are known to have survived, spanning some 400 years, and the thousands that have not.
24 April
Melanie Eddy
Clerkenwell to Kabul: a London Jeweller unearths pure pedagogical gold in Afghanistan.
In the autumn of 2010 Melanie undertook, with the support of the British Council, a two-month applied arts creative residency focusing on jewellery design at Turquoise Mountain’s Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul, Afghanistan and has maintained a relationship with the Institute since. Turquoise Mountain has brought together individuals who have an impressive breadth of knowledge and has provided a nurturing environment from which a new generation of craft persons can emerge. This lecture will focus on the unique community that has developed around this organisation and Melanie’s experiences of the rejuvenation of a rich artistic culture despite the challenges of time and place.
22 May
John Benjamin
Smallhythe and Other Hidden Gems: The Intimate Jewels of Dame Ellen Terry.
This talk examines the life of Ellen Terry, the celebrated stage actress and "Queen of the Theatre" using her jewellery as the backdrop to her extraordinary career. Ellen spent the last thirty years of her life at Smallhythe Place in Kent, now a National Trust property, and all the jewellery is lodged in a series of cabinets in this most atmospheric of homes, but never properly assessed or researched until now. Among some 150 items are highlights including a splendid gold chain formerly owned by Fanny Kemble, an Alma-Tadema smokey quartz brooch worn during her role as Lady Macbeth and her famous 'Castle on the Rock' ring designed and made by John Paul Cooper.
26 June
David Wood-Heath
Guilloche, the Machines, Techniques and Products.
25 September
Jubilee Lecture: Details to be announced.
23 October
TBA
TBA. The lecture by Fahmida Suleman on Omani jewellery has unfortunately had to be postponed. We will provide a new date as soon as possible.
27 November
Andrew Lamb
My Own Work…
Dates for 2013
22 January, 26 February, 23 April, 21 May, 25 June, 24 September, 22 October, 26 November
Links to previous Lecture Programmes
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | 1977-1980