The Cross of Wales: A historic commission by the Goldsmiths’ Company
The Goldsmiths’ Company has led on the making of a historic commission of a new processional cross for the Church in Wales – the Cross of Wales. It was today announced by the Church in Wales that the Cross of Wales, designed and made by master silversmith Michael Lloyd, will lead the Coronation procession at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
The cross was commissioned by His Majesty The King, as Prince of Wales, to celebrate the centenary of the Church in Wales, with The Goldsmiths' Company delivering the design and production processes.
The commission was managed by Dr Frances Parton, Deputy Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company, who worked with the internationally renowned master silversmith Michael Lloyd who designed and made the piece. It was designed, in collaboration with the Royal Collection, with His Majesty The King’s longstanding environmental priorities in mind – it is created from silver sheet produced from recycled bullion provided by the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, with a shaft of Welsh windfall timber and a stand of Welsh slate.
In making the Cross, Michael used many traditional silversmithing techniques which are taught to many of the young silversmithing students at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London, which The King visited in November (2022).
In compliance with the Hallmarking Act, the silver elements of the Cross bear a full hallmark (of the London Assay Office), including The ‘King’s Mark’ (leopard’s head) which was applied by The King himself in November 2022 when visiting The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London to meet trainees and apprentices and celebrate its tenth anniversary. It is the first time in history that a monarch has applied The ‘King’s Mark’ (leopard’s head).
“The Cross of Wales shows the relevance of traditional skills and craftsmanship in the modern world. Using the ancient craft of chasing silver, Michael Lloyd has created a beautiful object which combines a powerful message with a practical purpose. We are thrilled that the Cross will both feature in the Coronation and see regular use within the Church in Wales.
Inspired by medieval Welsh art and design, The Cross of Wales combines historical reference with the very best contemporary craftsmanship”, said Tim Knox, Director of the Royal Collection. “It has been a unique and interesting project which we have been delighted to consult upon.
Designer and maker, Michael Lloyd said, “This project started with a love of the material, its malleability, its potential for expression. The commission has allowed me to delve into the previous 1,000 years of faith and history. Now, with more than 267 thousand hammer blows, the cross has emerged from the inanimate sheets of silver, and I am delighted it will be used as part of the Coronation Service on 6 May.”
The cross will be blessed by Archbishop Andrew at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno on April 19. A second copy of the engraved silver ferrule, which connects the top two pieces of the shaft of the cross, has been made for the Goldsmiths’ Company’s semi-private Collection and will be on display at Goldsmiths’ Hall in the autumn of 2023.
His Majesty The King has a long association with the Goldsmiths’ Company. His Majesty became a Liverymen in 1981 and was made an Honorary Court Assistant (Board-equivalent) in 1990. In 2020, as Prince of Wales, he opened the first digital-only Goldsmiths’ Fair in a national video address. On 23 November 2022, His Majesty helped to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Goldsmiths’ Centre by visiting trainees and apprentices at its workshops and exhibition space near Hatton Garden, London’s famous jewellery quarter.