The Platinum Jubilee Commission

The Platinum Jubilee Commission by Rod Kelly

To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh commissioned renowned Silversmith Rod Kelly to create a commemorative piece. Selecting from range of proposals from Silversmiths working across Scotland, The Incorporation selected The Four Nations Platinum Vase by Rod Kelly. The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust were pleased to be asked to help document the development and completion of this stunning piece, which is now part of The Incorporation of Goldsmiths permanent collection.

The Four Nations Platinum Vase by Rod Kelly
Image by Shannon Tofts

The Four Nations Platinum Vase was hand-raised in silver and hammered to create a four-faceted square vase, chased in low relief. At the base of each corner is an inlaid gold diamond shape, reflected again in inlaid gold details the floral design. Each side is chased in low relief to represent the flowers of the Four Nations of the United Kingdom:

  • Thistle for Scotland

  • Rose for England

  • Daffodil for Wales

  • Shamrock for Northern Ireland

The piece also features the Platinum Jubilee Hallmark, and was marked at Edinburgh Assay Office. Assay Master Scott Walter said,

Silversmith Rod Kelly created this stunning piece from his workshop in Shetland, documenting the process along the way.

Rod said, ‘It has been a great pleasure and thrill to make a piece commemorating the Jubilee Hallmark and what was sadly the last year of Elizabeth’s II reign, giving the vase further poignance. A four sided vessel seemed to be the perfect solution to representing the Four Nations and the four flowers that represent them. Cutting, shaping and fitting the four panels that make up the vase was a real challenge. The vase with its crown like top was the perfect shape to carry the low relief chasing with some of the details inlaid with pure gold. Made in recycled silver chased in low relief and inlaid with fine gold it carries the Jubilee Hallmark. I really enjoyed the commission and am thrilled it has been commissioned by The Incorporation of Goldsmiths for their permanent collection.’

Eda Obermanns