Information on Harborough

2000 year old Hallaton silver bowl inspires London exhibition

Posted on 09/05/11

Leicestershire Councty Council

9 May 2011

2000 year old Hallaton silver bowl inspires London exhibition

Hallaton Treasure BowlA beautiful 2000 year old silver bowl found in Leicestershire is the focus of a new temporary exhibition at a prestigious London institution. The bowl will be displayed at Goldsmiths Hall in London this summer, reaching new audiences in the capital.

The bowl will be loaned to The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths for an exhibition entitled The Corieltavi Silver Bowl: 2000 Years Old, held at Goldsmiths Hall from 9 May 15 July 2011. This is the first time the bowl will be displayed outside the County and the exhibition will also feature a small selection of Iron Age and Roman coins and a small quantity of pig bones from the Hallaton Treasure which are usually kept in store.

The bowl was one of the last items discovered at an Iron Age shrine at Hallaton, Leicestershire following earlier discoveries of over 5000 Iron Age and Roman coins, a Roman cavalry parade helmet and the remains of over 400 pigs. The bowl is unique, the only silver bowl from this period found to date, and is a very early example of Iron Age silversmithing. The bowl has been on display, alongside other finds from the site, in the purpose-built Hallaton Treasure Gallery at Harborough Museum since September 2009.

After viewing the bowl at Harborough Museum, Curator of Goldsmiths Hall, Rosemary Ransome Wallis, was inspired to develop the exhibition and investigate how the bowl may have been made with the help of renowned silversmith Alex Brogden. Alex examined the ancient bowl and discovered that at least three hammers were utilised in its creation, showing the Iron Age silversmith had technical knowledge of the craft and a sophisticated toolkit. Alex has crafted a stunning replica bowl based exactly on the Hallaton vessel and this will be displayed alongside the real bowl at Goldsmiths Hall.

The Goldsmiths Company have also used their high-tech analysis equipment to aid academic research on the bowl. In January 2010 a sample was taken from the bowl by Goldsmiths and was later analysed at the Assay Office to ascertain its precise metallic content. The results of this research will feature in the exhibition at Goldsmiths Hall.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Councils Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities said: This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for Leicestershire County Council to bring this unique and remarkable find to the attention of a wider audience. The Hallaton Treasure and the silver bowl are finds of national significance so we are grateful to the Goldsmiths Company for developing this fantastic exhibition for visitors. It is tempting to see Hallatons humble bowl as the first step towards a great tradition of working precious metals in Britain. It is apt for the bowl to be displayed with other magnificent examples of this craft which form the basis of the significant collections at Goldsmiths Hall.

The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London and received its first royal charter in 1327. Founded to regulate the craft or trade of the goldsmith, the Goldsmiths' Company has been responsible since 1300 for testing the quality of gold, silver, platinum and palladium articles. The Company assays and marks precious metal artefacts through the operations of Assay Office London. The Company continues to play an important role in support of the craft and industry, funding apprenticeships and assisting with the technical training of aspiring craftsmen.

The Corieltavi Silver Bowl: 2000 Years Old exhibition is free and is open from 3rd May to 15th July, Monday to Saturday, 10.00am 5.00pm at Goldsmiths Hall, Foster Lane, London. Visit The Goldsmiths Companys website www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk or ring 020 7606 7010 for further information. The Hallaton bowl will then return to its permanent home at Harborough Museum.

For further details about the Treasure Project and Harborough Museum, see the following background details.

  • To contact Harborough Museum phone (01858) 821085 or email harboroughmuseum@leics.gov.uk
  • Please visit our website www.leics.gov.uk/harboroughmuseum
  • www.facebook.com/HarboroughMuseum
  • http://twitter.com/LeicsMuseums
  • http://leicestershiremuseums.wordpress.com

Harborough Museum is operated in partnership by Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Council and the Market Harborough Historical Society.

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