Silver Piece The relationship between the value of an object’s form, the material from which it is made and the size of its edition is essentially combined within a medal, and Silver Piece evolved out of my interest in the nature and value of this particular sculptural format. Rather than make a single “original” that would then be copied by being cast, I wanted to develop a production method that worked within the lost wax process. First, a 56-millimetre diameter bar of wax was cast. This was then sliced into exactly one hundred pieces, so producing a series of similar, but not quite identical, medal “blanks”. The surface of each medal bears the grooved, uneven marks left by the serrated knife, proof of the single action by which they were made. Each wax was then cast directly into sterling silver, without the use of any moulds. As each medal is a unique cast, the price of each one reflects the current market value of its exact weight in silver. Prices range from around £133 to £144. British Art Medal Society Members are asked initially to pay £144 (non-members £216). The difference will then be refunded to you in the form of silver coinage (denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 pence pieces or £5 coins), included with the medal. Each medal has been individually numbered by the Assay Office, London, using the office’s numbered punches, which are usually used only to mark bullion. The numbering and the hallmark that divides it make up an “equation” of value for the piece by guaranteeing its number, scarcity, date, origin, maker, authenticity and material quality. The medal is therefore simple and tactile, while making use of its rich material and aesthetic values and associations. Membership to the British Art Medal Society costs £20 per year. For all enquiries or further information, please contact the The British Art Medal Society. |