Research

‘Goldsmiths of Newcastle’ the seminal research work by Boyle, was presented at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1894. 

Then in 1897 an Exhibition of Newcastle Silver Plate at the Blackgate Museum, Newcastle displayed 115 pieces of ecclesiastical plate and 270 secular pieces from churches and private collections. 

Published Research

‘The Goldsmiths of Newcastle’. J.R. Boyle. Archaeologia Aeliana Series 2 Volume 16. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1894

‘Exhibition of Silver Plate of Newcastle Manufacture, in the Blackgate Museum, Newcastle, on May 19, 20 and 21, 1897’ Archaeologia Aeliana Series 2 Volume 21. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1899 

‘An alphabetical catalogue of the Goldsmiths of Newcastle from the incorporation the Goldsmiths’ Company in 1536 to the close of the eighteen century.’ J.C. Hodgson. Archaeologia Aeliana Series 3 Volume 11. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1914

‘An alphabetical catalogue of the Goldsmiths of Newcastle (supplemental list)’ J.C. Hodgson. Archaeologia Aeliana Series 3 Volume 16. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1919

‘Newspaper Advertisements relating to the Goldsmiths of Newcastle upon Tyne of the eighteenth century’ F. Buckley. Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 2. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1926

‘The copper plate of the Goldsmiths Company of Newcastle upon Tyne’ J.W. Clark. Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 47. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1969

‘Marks of the Newcastle Goldsmiths 1702-1884’ M.A.V. Gill. Archaeologia Aeliana Series 5 Volume 2. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1974

‘The Newcastle Goldsmiths and the Capital’ M.A.V. Gill Archaeologia Aeliana Series 5 Volume 8. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. 1980

 

 

Current Research Projects

The History of Newcastle Silver

This research is an introductory article using previous work to describe the history of Newcastle Silver from 1080-1884. There is some original research including a new explanation of the use of the lion sinister hallmark between 1721 to 1727.

Part 1 (1080-1750) will be published in the 2020 edition of 'Silver Studies' - The Journal of the Silver Society.

Part 2 (1750-1884) will be published in the 2021 edition of 'Silver Studies' - The Journal of the Silver Society.

The Irish Connection

There are design similarities between Irish and Newcastle Silver from about 1770. A number of Newcastle pieces are so distinctively Irish (such as the 1774 Cream Jug marked by John Langlands in The Coxon Collection) that a business relationship is thought possible. This research will compare Irish and Newcastle Silver in the period 1760-1780. The work of Irish goldsmiths including those from Clonmel, Limerick and Cork will be reviewed as will the work of the Newcastle goldsmiths John Langlands and John Robertson who was known to have Irish business links.

Women Goldsmiths

Susanna Dowthwaite (c.1673) is the earliest recorded woman goldsmith with a Newcastle makers mark. As the widow of John Dowthwaite she continued the business after his death. This was the usual reason why a female goldsmith registered a Newcastle mark. During the 18th Century there was Margaret Ramsay (1701), Elizabeth Ramsay (1702), Jane Kirkup (1757), Ann Hutchinson (1770), Mercy Ashworth (1785), Jane Robinson (1785), Margaret Langlands (1793) and Sarah Crawford (1795). During the 19th Century it was Ann Robertson (1801), Dorothy Langlands (1804), Jane Hedley (1811) and Margaret Bell (1841). This research will explore their work and family relationships. It is known that some prospered and some failed.