Arthur Grimwade Explained

Arthur Girling Grimwade FSA[1] (10 February 1913 in London[2] – 21 November 2002)[3] was a British antiquarian known for his work in the history of silversmithing and goldsmithing, a field in which he was "highly respected"[4] and a "world authority".[5] He spent 20 years writing the reference work London Goldsmiths 1697-1837: Their Marks & Lives, which was published in 1976;[6] he also wrote numerous other reference works and scholarly articles, beginning with a 1947 article in Country Life about items in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.[2]

In 1932, Grimwade began work at Christie's auction house (despite his father having wanted him to work at the Bank of England);[2] as a trainee, his salary was £1 a week.[7] After serving in the Second World War as a signaller, he returned to Christie's in 1946.[7] On 30 April 1954, he was promoted to director,[8] a position he held until 1979.[3] During this time, he worked with Guy Hannen,[9] and, while valuating the assets of Burghley House, discovered the artefact now known as the Burghley Nef "neglected and black in a cellar".[7]

In "the 1950s", Grimwade joined the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, where he was "the first person to be given official access to their mark books, [which were] until then a secret in-house resource;"[2] in 1984, he served as the Goldsmiths' Prime Warden.[7]

In 1953, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries,[7] and in 1962, he was honorary curator for the Honourable Artillery Company.[10]

In 1971, he visited California, serving as a guest lecturer in silver artefacts at the University of California, Davis.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.sal.org.uk/2020/02/sal71/ Salon (Society of Antiquaries of London Online Newsletter) #71
  2. "Obituary: Arthur Grimwade; Leading expert in historic plate.", by Philippa Glanville; in The Independent; December 17, 2002; p. 18
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/17/guardianobituaries1 Arthur Grimwade - World-renowned silver expert generous with his expertise
  4. "Silver in London: the Parker and Wakelin Partnership 1760-1776", reviewed by Pippa Shirley; in Apollo, vol. 161, no. 516; published February 2005
  5. "Millions Under the Hammer", by Richard Seddon, in the Birmingham Post; published 4 December 1965; p. 10
  6. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquaries-journal/article/abs/london-goldsmiths-16971837-their-marks-and-lives-by-arthur-g-grimwade-pp-x-728-8-pls-london-faber-faber-1976-35/A9682EC6D13B6322522F077E0F003DB7 London Goldsmiths, 1697–1837. Their Marks and Lives. By Arthur G. Grimwade. Pp. x + 728 + 8 pls. London: Faber & Faber, 1976. £35.
  7. "Arthur Grimwade", in The Times; published December 3, 2002; p. 34
  8. " New Directors Of Christie's", in The Times; published 1 May 1954; p. 3
  9. "Getting the Feel of Antiques", by Vivian Brown (Associated Press); in the Clovis News-Journal; published 14 July 1977; p. 19
  10. "News of the Day: Silver" in The Age; 20 February 1962; p. 2
  11. "UCD Extension Course antique lovers' dream", in the Woodland Daily Democrat; published September 30, 1971; p. 6