The Gold Smelters

The Gold Smelters is a Portland limestone relief mounted on Aldersgate Street that depicts twelve workers engaged in different stages of gold refining. The sculpture shows the complete workflow from initial preparation through to the final finished product.

The relief was created in 1901 by J. Daymond & Son as part of a building in this historic commercial area. It survived wartime bombing during the 1940s and was relocated to its current site in 1975 to preserve it.

The sculpture shows the gold refining craft that once thrived in this area of London, reflecting the skilled trade that shaped the neighborhood. It captures work methods that were central to the city's commercial identity.

The relief is easy to spot on the street as it is mounted prominently at the corner of Aldersgate Street and Fenn Street. A descriptive plaque at its base provides context for understanding the different work stages shown.

One figure in the sculpture wears seventeenth-century dress and appears to supervise operations while recording results with a quill pen. This unusual detail suggests the artist wanted to show the authority figure overseeing the craftsmen at work.

Location: City of London

Inception: 1901

Creator: John Daymond III, John Dudley Daymond

Made from material: Portland limestone

Part of: list of public art in the City of London

GPS coordinates: 51.52139,-0.09718

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:44