Sheffield Assay Office Contributes to The Culture of Cutlery Exhibition at The Goldsmiths’ Centre
Published: 6th May 2026
Sheffield Assay Office is pleased to have supported The Culture of Cutlery, a major exhibition presented by The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London.
Since the end of 2025, our Librarian, Curator and Archivist, Emma Paragreen, has worked with Curators Charlotte Dew, Gregory Parsons and Erin Sleeper on research and interpretation for the exhibition. Sheffield Assay Office and The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire were also invited to loan objects from their collections to feature alongside pieces from The Cutlers’ Company, London and The Goldsmiths’ Company.
Running from 22nd April to 24th June at The Goldsmiths’ Centre, the exhibition examines the history, craftsmanship and cultural significance of dining cutlery from 1425 to the present day. Bringing together historic artefacts and contemporary works, it highlights the materials, techniques and social changes that have shaped the evolution of knives, forks and spoons across Europe.
The exhibition includes contributions from northern designers, makers and manufacturers, including Sheffield’s Chris Knight, Rachael Colley, Nova Smith, David Mellor and William Yates, as well as dies and tooling from Chimo Sheffield (Manufacturing) Limited.
The private view was held on Wednesday 22nd April, where Sheffield Assay Office was represented in London by Emma Paragreen.
Alongside thee exhibition, visitors can attend a series of associated public events, including talks and workshops exploring the history and future of cutlery design. An accompanying exhibition catalogue is also available, featuring essays from leading researchers, makers and historians. The Culture of Cutlery – Goldsmiths' Shop Talent
Associated Events
18th May Cutlery on the Move: The Journey of Portable Utensils
20th May Creative Inspiration Workshop: The Art of Cutlery Design
Exhibition Information
The Culture of Cutlery
22nd April – 24th June 2026
Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm
The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London EC1M 5AD
Free admission
Further details are available via The Goldsmiths’ Centre website:
The Culture of Cutlery - The Goldsmiths' Centre
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,
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