Well, according to the dictionary definitions, a goldsmith and a treasurer are not the same. However, "both roles may involve some degree of interaction with valuable assets or financial matters," so there's that.
And why did this question even arise? Well, because I walked past the Goldsmith Building in London, and photographed the coat of arms adorning its facade, that's why.
In researching both the building and the heraldry, I found that the Goldsmith Building is legal chambers, built in 1861 to the design of James Piers St Aubyn. (The attic story was added in the early 20th century.) It was built on the site immediately to the north of Temple Church, then known as Church Yard Court. The architect, James Piers St Aubyn (1815-95), who was known primarily as a church architect, was surveyor to the Middle Temple from 1815-95. He designed several buildings in the Temple, and undertook the restoration of Temple Church in 1862. The chambers were named after the author Oliver Goldsmith (1730-44) who was resident of the Temple and is buried in the Temple churchyard.
So, nothing to do with actual goldsmiths, then.
But it turns out that James Anderson was the Treasurer of the Middle Temple in the mid-1800s, when the Goldsmith Building was constructed. Hence, I presume, the reason for his coat of arms being placed so prominently there.
I did not find the arms of James Anderson in my researches, though Burke's General Armory gave two which are very close:
But it turns out that James Anderson was the Treasurer of the Middle Temple in the mid-1800s, when the Goldsmith Building was constructed. Hence, I presume, the reason for his coat of arms being placed so prominently there.
I did not find the arms of James Anderson in my researches, though Burke's General Armory gave two which are very close:
Anderson (Dowhill). Argent a saltire engrailed sable between a crescent in chief and three mullets in the flanks and base gules all within a bordure azure.
Anderson (Edinburgh). Argent a saltire engrailed sable between a crescent in chief and three mullets gules pierced of the field two in fess and one in base.
Other Andersons listed in Burke all bear variants (as this one is) of the base coat Argent a saltire engrailed sable between four mullets gules.
All in all, an interesting heraldic find with a bit of a story to tell. I'm glad I ran across it when we were in London.
Anderson (Edinburgh). Argent a saltire engrailed sable between a crescent in chief and three mullets gules pierced of the field two in fess and one in base.
Other Andersons listed in Burke all bear variants (as this one is) of the base coat Argent a saltire engrailed sable between four mullets gules.
All in all, an interesting heraldic find with a bit of a story to tell. I'm glad I ran across it when we were in London.
