posted 09-08-2007 04:06 PM            

A series of lectures hosted by the Assey office of London to better inform both international collectors of silver and also to expand the trade in the regulation of antique silver and ancient hallmarks. The seminars are specifically for silver specialists, auctioneers, independent dealers and private collectors. The lectures are designed to provide a first hand experience in the identification of fake and forged antique silver.

October 23, 2007
Bard Graduate Center in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture and Christie's in New York City
Information 212-501-3011

October 24 & 25th
The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamburg, Va
1-800-HISTORY

Morning Session:
October 23- New York, NY
October 25-Williamsburg VA
Lectures on perspectives on detecting fakes in the field of antique silver and jewelry by Tim Shroder, former head of Christie's Silver Department and Charles Truman, general editor of "Sotheby's Concise Encyclopedia of Silver"

Afternoon:
Hands on session led by silver specialist with examples of fakes from the infamous Assay Office London's Rogue's Museum of Fakes.

Evening-
New York October 23rd-Lecture by Alastair Dickenson of the BBC's Antique Road Show. Followed by this lecture will be a reception and preview of Christie's Important Silver Sale in New York on October 23

Richmond October 24th:Lecture by Alastair Dickenson of the BBC's Antique Road Show. A private viewing of "Nobel Silver:The Jerome and Rita Gans Collection of English Silver" at the Virgina Museum of Fine Art, Richmond October 24, Seminar on October 25th in Williamsburg.

More information can be found on The Goldsmiths Company website at www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk
Cost and reservation information avaialable on website.

posted 09-08-2007 04:13 PM            

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CarlaZ

posted 10-27-2007 02:22 PM            

It was so great to actually handle the 'fakes' and I thought this was a great opportunity to learn first hand the mulitiple ways marks are altered.

posted 10-28-2007 08:32 PM            

After lunch the room was reset with round tables, each with 12 (or more) chairs, where attendees and a presenter gathered to examine the fakes. On each table were a half dozen or more items of holloware/flatware (no jewelry), which were passed around and examined by all. Once everyone had examined each of the items the presenter would ask the group at the table to explain why each was a fake or a forgery. Often before each item had been throughly discussed it was time to change to another table/presenter

The hands on was great but too hurried. The presentations were great and individually well prepared. It would have been better if the overlap in the presentations had been consolidated into one presentation which was supported by a handout. This way there would have been more time for the hands-on which was clearly the most enlightening part of the day.

The last presentation at Bard was about Fake Renaissance Jewelry, which was not supported with hands-on examples. It was unfortunate that it was squeezed in at the end of the day as many attendees were tired or were still thinking about the hands-on so what was absorbed by the group was nominal. Even so it was a very interesting presentation.

After the last presentation at Bard we moved on to Christies. The evening at Christies was very well attended. I estimate the group grew by 3 or 4 times its original size. Jean Sloan introduced Christiana Reti who introduced Alastair Dicksenson. Mr. Dicksenson’s presentation was a good recap for those of us who were at Bard and for the new attendees it was a good introduction/overview. After this we had the opportunity review the silver galleries of the upcoming auction.

I found the day long seminar a good refresher and would recommend it especially for the hands on experience.