A magnificent Rococo gold plate bearing the coat of arms of the Company of Goldsmiths, at Goldsmiths' Hall in the City of London. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London with its roots in the trade guilds of the Middle Ages. Today it is responsible for operating the London Assay Office which hallmarks precious metal articles. Hallmarking dates back 700 years. Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751), a Huguenot goldsmith, entered his first mark at Goldsmiths' Hall in February 1713 and rose to become one of the finest crafstmen of his time. .