Goldsmith's Awards

The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is one of twelve great Livery Companies of the City of London and received it's first Royal Charter in 1327.  For seven centuries, the Goldsmith's Company has been responsible for testing the quality of precious metals and for regulating the craft or trade of the goldsmith.  In 1908 they commenced an annual competition with prizes awarded to encourage design in gold or silver.  Ninety-five years later, Brent Sutcliffe won three of the Goldsmith's Guilds' awards, adding him to the annals of distinguished jewellers of Britain.

Brent's violin took 170 hours to complete.  It is 18ct white gold and weighs a total of 39 grams.  The case took a further 200 hours and weighs 83 grams although was not submitted as part of the competition.  The violin measures 7.5cm in length and is intended to have over 1000 diamonds over the body at a total weight of 20.5 carats, and 2.5 carats of sapphires along the stem.  The hair thin strings are also white gold and can be turned on the dial of the violin.