I am delighted to reveal that Essemgé has won Silver this year at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Competition 2024! That’s a step up from the Bronze award 2 years ago! Yeahhh!
If you have been following me for some time, you know that Essemgé had been awarded a price but that the actual unveiling would happen at the Awards ceremony, aka the ‘UK’s Jewellery Oscars’ event, on the 4th March. If you haven’t, then head over to ‘2024, The Year of The Dragon for Essemgé’ here.
Let me tell you a bit more about the ceremony itself.
Relive the event with me
The proceedings were held at the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall in the heart of the City of London.
From the moment you step inside the building, you can feel the solemnity of the moment but also the excitement with the murmur of voices. The invitation card I received had my name and seat number on. After security checks, I walked up the very grand double revolution staircase to the main room and proudly showed my card to be guided to my place. Whilst waiting for the proceedings to start, everybody introduces themselves to their direct neighbours -yes, we don’t know everyone in the industry although it’s a small world!- exchanging a few words of encouragement. Then if you remember -which wasn’t my case-, you reach out for your phone to take a few photos or a video. Trying to capture the atmosphere is impossible really.
The heavily gilded carved high ceilings, elaborate crystal chandeliers and dark velvet curtains created the perfect backdrop. The ceremony was opened by the chairperson of the Goldsmiths Council, together with the Trade Warden who was in full regalia. The results for each category were then announced by 2 speakers. The Gold awards collected their prizes directly from the hands of the sponsors of that category.
The ceremony always has a touch of surreal. It was broadcasted live so you can (re)watch it here and immerse yourself as if you had been a guest too.
Silver means best
I am honoured to announce that Essemgé has won Silver in the category of “2D Design Smallworkers” yet again. It is that same category I won Bronze for 2 years ago.
This officially places Essemgé as the best in that category. Yes, really. Why? Because there were no Gold award this year for that 2D Design Smallworkers category.
It tells you two things. First that as a jeweller I have worked hard to improve on my technical skills. I thrive at delivering the best quality of work that I can and that you can expect from me. Second that the Goldsmiths Council does take the judging process very seriously. Each award needs to meet a rigorous set of criteria. A work that’s been submitted won’t be awarded higher if it doesn’t fit all the standards for that awards, despite being the best in its category. That way the reputation and credibility of the awards are preserved.
Become an insider
If you have ever wondered what a smallwork is, the Goldsmiths’ Centre gives the following definition:
“Smallwork covers the production and manufacture of pieces of object d’art made in precious metals. A smallworker is a metalworker who crafts small scale work in precious metal. Typically, smallwork includes an intricate mechanism, hidden feature or an elaborate surface decoration.”
“Carl Fabergé, goldsmith to the Russian Tsar, and best known for producing Imperial Easter Eggs, was one of the most accomplished and famous smallworkers of the 19th and 20th centuries.” – fun fact
I hope you have enjoyed that. I will be covering the competition brief and my submission for the Smallworkers category in a further blog very soon.
There is only one option left now wouldn’t you say? After Silver, Gold is calling! Thank you for your support. It has been instrumental on this journey. Don’t forget to join the #EssemgeXMe Club if you haven’t yet and be privy to exclusive insights and offers. It is waiting for you here
