Chance to view University-sponsored Crown
7 June 2018
Visitors to National Museum Cardiff can soon view the stunning Cardiff University-sponsored Crown created for this year’s National Eisteddfod.
The Crown, presented to the winner of one of the Eisteddfod’s two main literary competitions, was designed and made by contemporary jeweller Laura Thomas.
Laura, from Neath, was chosen following a competition led by the University.
The Crown, which features her signature technique of inlaying wood veneer into sterling silver, has taken her hundreds of hours to create.
The finished article can be viewed at an exhibition at National Museum Cardiff from Tuesday 12 June to Thursday 2 August (opening times Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00).
Laura said her inspiration came from innovative materials such as graphene and solar panels. She worked with the School of Chemistry to explore angles and patterns using over 600 pieces of wood veneer.
The exhibition also features the Eisteddfod Chair, which is this year sponsored by National Museum Wales and is awarded to the winner of the other main literary competition.
Visitors to National Museum Cardiff will be able learn more about how the Crown and Chair were designed and made.
A new Crown and Chair are created for every National Eisteddfod, but they are not awarded if the judges deem the literary entries to be of insufficient quality.
Cardiff University officially handed the Crown to the National Eisteddfod at an event attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan at the Hadyn Ellis building on 6 June.
Laura told the audience how much it meant to her to be able to create an Eisteddfod Crown.
University web producer Osian Jones, who won last year’s Eisteddfod Chair, read a poem that he had specially written for the presentation ceremony.
And Dr Dylan Foster Evans, head of the School of Welsh, spoke to the invited audience about the history of Cardiff as a National Eisteddfod host.
