This biennial Prize is directed to
young people and all the apprentices are strongly recommended
to participate, the goldsmiths, the silversmiths, the
setters, the engravers, the drawers, the medallists as
well as the apprentices coming from both the professional
schools and the Institutes of specialisation and from
the craft made laboratories, which, even in these days
of deep recession and legislative trouble, have kept alive
the roman goldsmith handicraft. The prize is the best
recongnition within a wide promotional activity towards
young people.
During the last seven editions, the prize, which has been
existing for more than 30 years, has been entitled to
Armando de Simoni, a lamented colleague who was one of
the most valid promoters of the relaunch of the association
after a standstill period during the two world wars.
The opening problems were solved and we have now the pleasure
to note that the Prize “Armando de Simoni”
is awaited and much sought after; it gives the possibility
“to discover”, among the candidates, those
young men of uncommon capabilities and natural inclinations,
later improved by technique and training, and to highlight
and help them in entering the world of employment.
A ban issued by the University asks young goldsmiths,
designers and stylists to submit their work to a committee
of examiners and to an advisory jury.
The competition, as testified by the works exposed edition
by edition, both prize-winning or not, is rich of satisfying
results, it proves the love that young people have for
the goldsmith art, a love which rescues it from the current
mass merchandising and materialisation and, moreover,
it accomplishes to the efforts done by the University
and the Nobil Collegio in carrying on its primary institutional
duties.
In 1999, on the memory of Gilberto Lefevre, master chisel
and embosser, a talented artist who imparted lustre to
the goldsmith category, the family and the Nobil Collegio
established, contextually to the event, the Prize “Gilberto
Lefevre” for chisels and embossers coming from both
the professional schools and the laboratories.
The handcrafts and the drawings are shown in the exhibition
rooms at S. Eligio and the prize giving takes place in
the wonderful frame of the Raphaelesque church of S. Eligio
of Goldsmiths the seat of the University and the Nobil
Collegio.
The laboratories or the schools that intend to propose
candidates to both prizes should send to the Nobil Collegio
secretary their names (with the limit of three per academic
year). The requirements must:
have the European citizenship of one of the countries
of The Eu
Be older than sixteen and younger than twenty-five years
old (at the time they obtain their professional)
Less than 5 years apprenticeship, at handcraft goldsmith
or silversmith enterprises and similar or graduated of
state schools, professional training courses, specialisation
schools, all belonging to Regione Lazio and as recognised
by law.
Candidates will undergo an examination
by the advisory jury appointed by the Executive Counsel
of the Nobil Collegio where they will be also asked to
show the script on a subject assigned in advance; this
script will not be given back. Ownership will be of University
and the Nobil Collegio of the Goldsmiths which is entitled
to use it at its discretion and needs according to the
law.