Cutlery on the Move: The Journey of Portable Utensils
Published: 17.04.2026
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
- Website The Goldsmiths' Centre
- Instagram The Goldsmiths' Centre
- Facebook The Goldsmiths' Centre
- LinkedIn The Goldsmiths' Centre
- Mail:
- info
goldsmiths-centre.org
- Management:
- Julia Balchin
DEADLINE: 18/05/2026

Cutlery has long existed as a portable object, shaped by changing social practices, materials and modes of use. From the medieval period, when knives and spoons were personal possessions carried by the individual, to contemporary design approaches focused on sustainability, these objects reflect shifting relationships between function, mobility and identity.
In this online talk, Rachel Church examines the evolution of portable cutlery, considering its role as both a practical tool and a decorative object. Drawing on historical examples and contemporary practice, the session explores how cutlery has been adapted for travel, display and personal use across different contexts.
The talk coincides with the exhibition The Culture of Cutlery, and will conclude with an opportunity for discussion.
Date: 18 May 2026 at 6pm – 7pm (UK time)
Deadline: Tickets can be purchased until the event begins
Price: Pay what you can: £7 or £10
Location: Online (via Zoom), UK time
Who is the speaker?
Rachel Church has written and lectured widely on jewellery history and design. She is the author of 'Rings' (V&A/ Thames and Hudson 2011 and 2017) and 'Brooches and Badges' (V&A/ Thames and Hudson 2019). She has worked as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was part of the team which redeveloped the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery.
The talk coincides with the exhibition The Culture of Cutlery, and will conclude with an opportunity for discussion.
Date: 18 May 2026 at 6pm – 7pm (UK time)
Deadline: Tickets can be purchased until the event begins
Price: Pay what you can: £7 or £10
Location: Online (via Zoom), UK time
Who is the speaker?
Rachel Church has written and lectured widely on jewellery history and design. She is the author of 'Rings' (V&A/ Thames and Hudson 2011 and 2017) and 'Brooches and Badges' (V&A/ Thames and Hudson 2019). She has worked as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was part of the team which redeveloped the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
- Website The Goldsmiths' Centre
- Instagram The Goldsmiths' Centre
- Facebook The Goldsmiths' Centre
- LinkedIn The Goldsmiths' Centre
- Mail:
- info
goldsmiths-centre.org
- Management:
- Julia Balchin
DEADLINE: 18/05/2026
-
DIVA talk: in conversation with Karl Fritsch
24Sep2026
DIVA. Museum for diamonds, jewellery and silver
Antwerp, Belgium -
Box of Dreams Curator Tour
15May2026
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom
DEADLINE: 15/05/2026 -
Techniques in Focus: Cloisonné and Basse-Taille Enamelling
11May2026
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom
DEADLINE: 11/05/2026 -
Creative Links: Exploring Pricing and Range Architecture
06May2026
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom
DEADLINE: 06/05/2026 -
Mitsuro Hikime: Tracing the Line. Past and Present
27Apr2026
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom
DEADLINE: 27/04/2026 -
Drifting Sediments of Data: A lecture by Nicolás Lamas
21Apr2026
Sint Lucas Antwerpen
Antwerp, Belgium
DEADLINE: 21/04/2026 -
Creative Links: Understanding IP and Protecting Your Work
20Apr2026
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom
DEADLINE: 20/04/2026 -
In Dialogue: Chun Chang & Hatutamelen at Gerrit Rietveld Academy
02Apr2026
Gerrit Rietveld Academy
Amsterdam, Netherlands -
Thursday Talk with Mass Lee: Design in Dialogue
26Mar2026
PXL-MAD School of Arts
Hasselt, Belgium -
TRAJECTORIES#7: Ana Albuquerque
14Mar2026
Galeria Reverso
Lisbon, Portugal -
Otto Künzli. A Jewellery Lecture at Die Neue Sammlung
08Mar2026
Die Neue Sammlung - The Design Museum
Munich, Germany -
Friday Talks with Corrina Goutos
21Nov2025
DIVA. Museum for diamonds, jewellery and silver
Antwerp, Belgium -
Exploring AI’s Role in Jewellery: The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Next Creative Links Event Unpacks the Opportunities
17Nov2025
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom
APPLICATION CLOSED -
Between the Minoans and the Mycenaeans: Craft Technologies in the Second Millennium BCE Aegean
15Nov2025
UCLA SNF Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture
Los Angeles, United States
APPLICATION CLOSED -
Unlocking Creativity through Mindfulness: Being in the Present Moment by Limina Collective
15Oct2025
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
APPLICATION CLOSED














