Our September lecture is delivered by Christopher Garibaldi who arrives with a CV as polished as the silver he studies. From curating at Norwich Castle Museum and directing Palace House in Newmarket, to cataloguing royal silver at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, his career has been steeped in objects that gleam, glitter and quietly reveal the lives of the people who made and used them.

In his fascinating lecture Fashion, Form and Function – a History of English Silver, Christopher takes us on a shimmering tour through the history of British silver: the hallmarks that tell tales; the smiths who shaped fashions; and the social shifts reflected in everything from grand tableware to everyday utensils. 

It’s a broad, engaging sweep of craftsmanship, style and society, all anchored by Christopher’s deep expertise and delightful storytelling. Expect a talk that is illuminating, surprising and fun, and proof that silver isn’t just a thing to polish, but something so precious that it can unlock history.