2022 Jonathan Riley-Smith Memorial Lecture in partnership with the St John Historical Society.

Gold and silver ship models, or nefs, were one of the most spectacular status symbols of medieval Europe. Made in many different shapes and forms, they were placed before princes and great nobles on the banqueting table. But very few examples of this rich field of goldsmiths’ work have survived. This lecture traces the history of the nef and looks in particular at a remarkable example from the sixteenth century that belonged originally to the treasury of the Knights of Malta in Valletta and that has recently been placed on loan at the Museum of the Order of St John.

Timothy Schroder is a historian and lecturer on silver and goldsmiths’ work and a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Previous roles include head of silver at Christie’s, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and a Consultant Curator at the V&A. He is currently President of the Silver Society, a trustee of the Wallace Collection and a member of the Fabric Commission of Westminster Abbey. He has served two terms as Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company. Publications include British and Continental Gold and Silver in the Ashmolean Museum (2009) and ‘A Marvel to Behold’, Gold and Silver at the Court of Henry VIII (2020).

Tickets are free, donations welcome if you can. All donations will support the work of the Museum of the Order of St John, helping to care for its collections and historic buildings. Doors open at 6.30pm.

This event will take place in the historic Chapter Hall at St John’s Gate, accessible by stairs only. There is a lift which reduces the number of stairs guests need to ascend. For more information on access please visit our access pages here, or email museum@sja.org.uk

Tickets are free and must be pre-booked via the Museum’s Eventbrite page. Donations welcome.