Comments on: Billy & Charley’s Shadwell Shams

By: Dr David Hibberd

Dr David Hibberd — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 09:34:28 +0000

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a collection of these forgeries. Descriptions but sadly no images, can be found on the museum’s ‘Search the Collections’ facility – search for Billy and Charley. Until about a decade ago there was a whole display case of these artefacts in the Fakes and Forgeries gallery that provided a fascinating insight into this whole subject but I knows of no plans to reinstate this.

By: Saba

Saba — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:22:15 +0000

The similarity of the faces and bodies in nearly every piece belies the falsity of Billy’s and Charley’s claims of provenance. That said, great fun and originality!

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:29:07 +0000

Two words I never expected to read, first thing this morning: “pseudo” and “medieval”.

Spitalfields Life is a daily banquet, served up with gusto and an unerring compass for
fascinating topics, artifacts, AND characters. I admire the skills of these two (ahem) enterprising fellows — the collective series is fantastic. Dare I say, these motifs would translate perfectly to
textiles, tiles, wallpaper, etc.

Thanks for always shining a light.

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:06:04 +0000

With such creativity and ingenuity, these two might have gone far… the designs are sophisticated and some are quite charming! I’m absolutely enthralled by the sheep holding a sword or spear… I’d wear that as jewellery with delight!

Thank you, G.A., for sharing another remarkable story with us.

By: Caroline Murray

Caroline Murray — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 11:29:59 +0000

Completely fascinating: I was especially interested to see that Charles Roach Smith was among those duped. You may like to see this piece about him: https://bit.ly/1GkxGMI

By: Steve Hanscomb

Steve Hanscomb — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:53:37 +0000

What a fascinating story. The thing that amazes me is that the sheer quantity of the things didn’t set the alarm bells ringing. Different times and not many questions asked by the dealer I suppose. Wonderfully inventive designs though!

By: Bailey Jones

Bailey Jones — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:41:12 +0000

Ingenius. I agree, in a different timee, with more opportunities, Billy and Charley’s skills might have found a more respectable outlet. The characters here come to life. I can imagine the duped reverend taking oblivious delight in his historical purchases, creating a (highly) imaginative link in his head with the medieval pilgrims. A delightful story.

By: Robin Call

Robin Call — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:30:15 +0000

Crafty little boogers weren’t they?

By: Jill Wilson

Jill Wilson — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:02:10 +0000

Fascinating stuff…