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British Silver Week in association with The Pearson Silver Foundation announces exciting new competition for UK based silversmiths.

The Pearson Silver Foundation

DESIGN COMPETITION for an Olympic Candelabra to celebrate London 2012
PRIZE £1000

ELIGIBILITY - This competition is open to all silversmiths who are working or studying in the UK.

THE COMPETITION - To design either a pair of candelabra or two candelabrum which are en suite, that celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games.

The design(s) must not feature either the Olympic Games interlocking circles, nor the logo for the 2012 London Games. Instead the design(s) should capture either the Games in a symbolic or abstract way. For example, the design(s) may capture the vitality of the event, aspects of their competitiveness, their international appeal, the diversity of the sports represented or their historic origin. This brief is wide, but we are looking for an original and imaginative design(s), which while inspired by the Olympic Games are not of a commemorative nature.

To give the competition some commercial realism, the pieces must be capable of being made for a sum of £10,000. Entrants should base their calculations on a costing basis of labour at £40 per hour and the price of the metal at 80-pence per gram.

PRESENTATION - The design(s) should be presented on paper and either be hand drawn or computer generated. In the case of a pair, only one need be presented. In the case of two candelabrum ensuite, each design should appear on a separate sheet. An additional sheet showing detail is permitted. The maximum size of each sheet must be no more than A3. The entrant's name, phone number and address should be printed on the reverse of the sheet.

In addition, each submission (entrants are permitted to make up to two entries) must be accompanied by:

1. A brief note on a single side of A4 giving the reason behind their chosen design(s). Entrants submitting abstract designs need to interpret their concept.

2. An estimated costing for the making of the pieces.

COPYRIGHT - All designs entered into the competition will remain the copyright of the entrant, with the exception of the winning entry. By entering the competition, the winner automatically agrees that the copyright of his or her design will be owned 30% by The Pearson Silver Foundation and 70% by the designer. This means that the designer will pay 30 per cent of the profit upon the sale of each pair of candelabra, each two ensuite candelabrum or any single candelabrum from a pair or ensuite candelabrum to The Pearson Silver Foundation. The profit is defined as the difference between the proceeds received from selling the item(s) and the cost of making it/them. In the event of a loss, this will be born entirely by the designer.

While there can be no guarantees of success, The Pearson Silver Foundation will give the winning designer every assistance in getting commission(s) for his or her design(s) as well as helping in obtaining public exposure for the finished pieces. If no commissions are forthcoming, subject to the agreement of the winning designer, the Foundation will make every effort to give the winning design exhibition and media coverage.

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES - The closing date for entries is 1 May 2011. They should be posted to:

The Pearson Silver Foundation
Seventh Floor,
54 Jermyn Street,
LONDON SW1Y 6LX

THE JUDGING PANEL - Those judging the competition will be:

John Andrew - The Pearson Silver Foundation
Katharina Flohr - Creative and Managing Director, Fabergé
Gordon Hamme - Chairman, British Silver Week
Brett Payne - Silversmith

The judging panel's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. In the unlikely event that none of the entries is of the required standard, the judges reserve the right not to award the prize.

ANNOUNCEMENT - The winner will be advised of his or her success by May 20th 2011. The prize will be presented on June 6th 2011. Details of the winner will be published in the July 2011 edition of The Goldsmith Magazine and on the British Silver Week website or alternatively may be obtained by writing to The Pearson Silver Foundation at the above address, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

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