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{{Short description|British Silversmith and Jeweller, Royal Warrant holder}}
{{Short description|British Silversmith and Jeweller, Royal Warrant holder}}
Simon Benney (01 January 1966) is a designer and maker of jewellery and objets d'art, and the holder of two [[Royal warrant of appointment (United Kingdom)|Royal Warrants]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Benney {{!}} Royal Warrant Holders Association |url=https://www.royalwarrant.org/company/benney |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.royalwarrant.org}}</ref> for [[HM The Queen Elizabeth II|HM The Queen]] and [[HRH The Prince of Wales]].
{{Draft topics|biography|northern-europe|business-and-economics}}
{{AfC topic|blp}}


Simon Benney (01 January 1966) is a [[Silversmith]] and holder of three [[Royal warrant of appointment (United Kingdom)|Royal Warrants]]<ref name=":0" /> as Goldsmith and Jeweller to the [[British royal family|British Royal Family]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Benney {{!}} Royal Warrant Holders Association |url=https://members.royalwarrant.org/company/benney?directory=1 |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=members.royalwarrant.org}}</ref>, as featured in the [[BBC]] Documentary "[[Handmade by Royal Appointment]]".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=BBC Four - Handmade: By Royal Appointment, House of Benney |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07gys9d |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Handmade: By Royal Appointment' |url=https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/news/handmade-by-royal-appointment |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.assayofficelondon.co.uk}}</ref><ref>Milner, Glen (producer and director); Bright, Richard (executive producer); Wanamaker, Zoe (narrator) (May 29, 2016). "House of Benney". ''Handmade: By Royal Appointment''. Episode 3. BBC. BBC Four.</ref>
He is the owner and CEO of [[House of Benney]], and was featured in the [[BBC]] Documentary "[[Handmade by Royal Appointment]]"<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=BBC Four - Handmade: By Royal Appointment, House of Benney |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07gys9d |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Handmade: By Royal Appointment' |url=https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/news/handmade-by-royal-appointment |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.assayofficelondon.co.uk}}</ref><ref>Milner, Glen (producer and director); Bright, Richard (executive producer); Wanamaker, Zoe (narrator) (May 29, 2016). "House of Benney". ''Handmade: By Royal Appointment''. Episode 3. BBC. BBC Four.</ref>. He also makes watch cases<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henley |first=Jon |date=2009-11-14 |title=How to make a watch |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/nov/14/how-to-make-a-watch |access-date=2023-10-17 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and has collaborated with various other houses including Faberge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : BENNEY A unique silver and enamelled beaker, an early prototype for the Fabergé Silver Collection mark for Simon Benney and additional mark for the Fabergé collection, London 2010 |url=https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24678/lot/77/benney-a-unique-silver-and-enamelled-beaker-an-early-prototype-for-the-faberge-silver-collection-mark-for-simon-benney-and-additional-mark-for-the-faberge-collection-london-2010/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.bonhams.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FABERGÉ Pinterest Account - exquisite silver and enamel tumblers and shot-glasses created in collaboration with Royal Warrant silversmith Simon Benney. |url=https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/187110559491248126/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Pinterest |language=en}}</ref>.

He is the owner of House of Benney creating bespoke silver and gold objets d'art, and also operating an online jewellery business which sells, amongst other items, the NHS Pendant<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Gift Guide |url=https://nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/gift-guide/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=NHS Charities Together |language=en-GB}}</ref>, a Silver and enamel pendant from which profits go to support the [[NHS Charities Together]].


== Early Life & Education ==
== Early Life & Education ==
Simon was born on the 1st January 1966 in Beenham, Berkshire, the youngest son of journalist Janet Benney and [[Gerald Benney|Gerald Benney CBE]], who was the first British craftsperson to ever hold four [[Royal warrant of appointment|Royal Warrants]] at the same time. Simon has two brothers, one the artist [[Paul Benney]], and a sister.
Simon is the youngest son of journalist Janet Benney and silversmith [[Gerald Benney|Gerald Benney CBE]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Departures {{!}} Gerald Benney |url=https://www.departures.com/travel/black-book/gerald-benney |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Departures |language=en}}</ref>, who was himself the first British craftsperson to ever hold four [[Royal warrant of appointment|Royal Warrants]] at the same time<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Graham |date=2008-07-24 |title=Gerald Benney - Obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jul/25/4 |access-date=2023-10-17 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> - a feat Simon also went on to achieve in around 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colman |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-10-17 |title=How to work in the city and live in the country |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-work-in-the-city-and-live-in-the-country-mg99zkrd6rd |access-date=2023-10-17 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>


Simon was educated at [[Charterhouse School]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=OC Profile - Simon Benney (S84) |url=https://www.charterhouse.org.uk/news/news-detail/~board/oc-news/post/oc-simon-benney |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.charterhouse.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and the [[Gemological Institute of America]] in Los Angeles, USA.
Simon was educated at [[Charterhouse School]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=OC Profile - Simon Benney (S84) |url=https://www.charterhouse.org.uk/news/news-detail/~board/oc-news/post/oc-simon-benney |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.charterhouse.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and the [[Gemological Institute of America]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-01-01 |title=JCK - The Jewellery Industy Authority, Forecast |url=https://www.jckonline.com/magazine-article/forecast-44306/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> in Los Angeles, USA. Simon has two brothers, one the artist [[Paul Benney]], and a sister.


== Career ==
== Career ==
Having left the Gemological Institute of America Simon worked independently during the 1980s before taking over the running of House of Benney from this father in the early 1990s. Today, House of Benney specialises in creating bespoke silver and gold objets d'art, and is well known for the Benney Bark<ref>{{Cite web |title=Departures {{!}} Gerald Benney |url=https://www.departures.com/travel/black-book/gerald-benney |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Departures |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=93digital |date=2021-03-17 |title=Pablo Picasso's silver plates |url=https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/pablo-picassos-silver-plates/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Goldsmiths' Fair |language=en-GB}}</ref> chased silver effect and for enamelling, sometimes working in collaboration with other houses such as [[House of Fabergé|Faberge]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= FABERGÉ SILVER COLLECTION|url=https://www.faberge.com/the-world-of-faberge/news/faberge-launches-first-silver-collection-68 |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.faberge.com |language=en}}</ref>
Having left the Gemological Institute of America Simon worked independently during the 1980s before taking over the running of House of Benney from this father in the early 1990s<ref>{{Cite web |title=About House of Benney |url=https://www.houseofbenney.com/about-benney |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=House of Benney |language=en}}</ref>.


Simon is [[Goldsmith]] and Jeweller to the British Royal Family, holding all three current Royal Warrants<ref name=":0" /> and regularly undertaking bespoke commissions<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search Members' Directory {{!}} Royal Warrant Holders Association |url=https://members.royalwarrant.org/directory?f%5B0%5D=field_warrants%253Afield_trade_category:3987 |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=members.royalwarrant.org}}</ref>. He was the subject of a BBC documentary titled "Handmade by Royal Appointment"<ref name=":2" />, a series which followed four different Royal Warrant holders, first aired in 2016 and which also followed [[Wedgwood]], [[John Lobb Shoes]] and [[Steinway & Sons|Steinway]]. Like his father, Simon at one point held four Royal Warrants simultaneously, with Royal Warrants from [[Elizabeth II|HM The Queen]], [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother]], [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] and the [[Prince of Wales]].
Simon in his own right is [[Goldsmith]] and [[Silversmith]] to the British Royal Family, holding all current Royal Warrants and regularly undertaking bespoke commissions<ref name=":0" />. He was the subject of a BBC documentary titled "Handmade by Royal Appointment"<ref name=":2" />, a series which followed four different Royal Warrant holders, first aired in 2016 and which also followed [[Wedgwood]], [[John Lobb Shoes]] and [[Steinway & Sons|Steinway]] as well as Benney.


== Selected designs ==
== Selected designs ==


* Simon is the designer and maker of The Three Graces, a [[candelabra]] which is the most valuable modern silver commission since World War 2 with an estimated value from [[Bonhams]] of between £250,000 and £300,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=Phyllis |date=2019-08-12 |title=Best of Bonhams on show now |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2019/08/best-of-bonhams-on-show-now/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=The Edinburgh Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : BENNEY the unique contemporary silver and enamelled candelabra suite 'The Three Graces' Simon Benney, London 2007 |url=https://www.bonhams.com/auction/25305/lot/103/benney-the-unique-contemporary-silver-and-enamelled-candelabra-suite-the-three-graces-simon-benney-london-2007/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.bonhams.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : Most Valuable Contemporary Design Silver Ever Offered at Auction at Important Design Sale |url=https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/28885/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.bonhams.com}}</ref>
* Simon is the designer and maker of The Three Graces, a [[candelabra]] which at the time was the most valuable modern silver commission since World War 2 with an estimated value from [[Bonhams]] of between £250,000 and £300,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=Phyllis |date=2019-08-12 |title=Best of Bonhams on show now |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2019/08/best-of-bonhams-on-show-now/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=The Edinburgh Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : Most Valuable Contemporary Design Silver Ever Offered at Auction at Important Design Sale |url=https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/28885/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.bonhams.com}}</ref> It was unveiled at a standalone exhibition at [[Goldsmiths' Hall]] in January 2008<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : BENNEY the unique contemporary silver and enamelled candelabra suite 'The Three Graces' Simon Benney, London 2007 |url=https://www.bonhams.com/auction/25305/lot/103/benney-the-unique-contemporary-silver-and-enamelled-candelabra-suite-the-three-graces-simon-benney-london-2007/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.bonhams.com |language=en}}</ref>.
* Simon worked on the re-creation of the "Golden Lyre of Ur", one of the 5,000-year-old [[Lyres of Ur|Lyre of Ur]] harps working with with Harp enthusiast Andy Lowings<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-07-31 |title=BBC - Ancient looted harp re-created |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/shropshire/4732497.stm |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref>.''<nowiki/>''
* Simon designed the NHS Pendant<ref name=":1" /> made of silver and enamel from which all profits are donated to [[NHS Charities Together]].
* ''<nowiki/>'Ten enamelled silver beakers''' was created in 2006 and came to auction at Bonhams with an estimate of £15,000 - £20,000. They are a set of ten slightly curved beakers with a narrow polished band and gilded insides, and enamelled outsides in ten different colours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : SIMON BENNEY A rare set of ten enamelled silver beakers London 2006, underside also stamped BENNEY |url=https://www.bonhams.com/auction/21685/lot/43/simon-benney-a-rare-set-of-ten-enamelled-silver-beakers-london-2006-underside-also-stamped-benney/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.bonhams.com |language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


*
== External links ==

* [https://www.houseofbenney.com/ Company website]
{{Drafts moved from mainspace|date=April 2023}}
{{Drafts moved from mainspace|date=April 2023}}

Revision as of 14:50, 17 October 2023

  • Comment: The only source contributing towards notability is the BBC piece, and it alone isn't enough per WP:GNG. DoubleGrazing (talk) 13:44, 10 April 2023 (UTC)

Simon Benney (01 January 1966) is a designer and maker of jewellery and objets d'art, and the holder of two Royal Warrants[1] for HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales.

He is the owner and CEO of House of Benney, and was featured in the BBC Documentary "Handmade by Royal Appointment"[2][3][4]. He also makes watch cases[5] and has collaborated with various other houses including Faberge[6][7].

Early Life & Education

Simon is the youngest son of journalist Janet Benney and silversmith Gerald Benney CBE[8], who was himself the first British craftsperson to ever hold four Royal Warrants at the same time[9] - a feat Simon also went on to achieve in around 2000.[10]

Simon was educated at Charterhouse School[11] and the Gemological Institute of America[12] in Los Angeles, USA. Simon has two brothers, one the artist Paul Benney, and a sister.

Career

Having left the Gemological Institute of America Simon worked independently during the 1980s before taking over the running of House of Benney from this father in the early 1990s[13].

Simon in his own right is Goldsmith and Silversmith to the British Royal Family, holding all current Royal Warrants and regularly undertaking bespoke commissions[1]. He was the subject of a BBC documentary titled "Handmade by Royal Appointment"[2], a series which followed four different Royal Warrant holders, first aired in 2016 and which also followed Wedgwood, John Lobb Shoes and Steinway as well as Benney.

Selected designs

  • Simon is the designer and maker of The Three Graces, a candelabra which at the time was the most valuable modern silver commission since World War 2 with an estimated value from Bonhams of between £250,000 and £300,000.[14][15] It was unveiled at a standalone exhibition at Goldsmiths' Hall in January 2008[16].
  • Simon worked on the re-creation of the "Golden Lyre of Ur", one of the 5,000-year-old Lyre of Ur harps working with with Harp enthusiast Andy Lowings[17].

References

  1. ^ a b "Benney | Royal Warrant Holders Association". www.royalwarrant.org. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  2. ^ a b "BBC Four - Handmade: By Royal Appointment, House of Benney". BBC. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  3. ^ "'Handmade: By Royal Appointment'". www.assayofficelondon.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  4. ^ Milner, Glen (producer and director); Bright, Richard (executive producer); Wanamaker, Zoe (narrator) (May 29, 2016). "House of Benney". Handmade: By Royal Appointment. Episode 3. BBC. BBC Four.
  5. ^ Henley, Jon (2009-11-14). "How to make a watch". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  6. ^ "Bonhams : BENNEY A unique silver and enamelled beaker, an early prototype for the Fabergé Silver Collection mark for Simon Benney and additional mark for the Fabergé collection, London 2010". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  7. ^ "FABERGÉ Pinterest Account - exquisite silver and enamel tumblers and shot-glasses created in collaboration with Royal Warrant silversmith Simon Benney". Pinterest. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  8. ^ "Departures | Gerald Benney". Departures. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  9. ^ Hughes, Graham (2008-07-24). "Gerald Benney - Obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  10. ^ Colman, Elizabeth (2023-10-17). "How to work in the city and live in the country". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  11. ^ "OC Profile - Simon Benney (S84)". www.charterhouse.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  12. ^ "JCK - The Jewellery Industy Authority, Forecast". 1997-01-01. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  13. ^ "About House of Benney". House of Benney. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  14. ^ Stephen, Phyllis (2019-08-12). "Best of Bonhams on show now". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  15. ^ "Bonhams : Most Valuable Contemporary Design Silver Ever Offered at Auction at Important Design Sale". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  16. ^ "Bonhams : BENNEY the unique contemporary silver and enamelled candelabra suite 'The Three Graces' Simon Benney, London 2007". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  17. ^ "BBC - Ancient looted harp re-created". 2005-07-31. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
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