Conservation technologies
In 2005 businessman David Gold, director of Gold Group International and chairman of Birmingham City Football Club, bought the oldest surviving FA Cup (produced in 1896) at auction to prevent it going overseas. Having secured the cup for the nation, he then offered it to the National Football Museum in Preston as a long term loan.
David Gold (at the invitation of the National Football Museum) commissioned Conservation Technologies to produce an accurate replica of the trophy for his private use. Conservation Technologies worked closely with silversmiths BDG Manufacturing Ltd to produce a high quality replica in sterling silver, using a blend of traditional silversmiths's skills and modern laser scanning technologies. Laser scanning was primarily used to obtain 3D computer models of the handle and footballer figure on the lid, as these parts are extremely difficult to reproduce using traditional techniques. These digital models were then increased in size by 10% and used to create master patterns in resin using a 3D printing process at the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre. The increase in size compensated for the shrinkage in the silver during casting so that the solid silver parts produced by BDG Manufacturing Ltd were the same size as the original. David Gold described the replica cup as "stunning".
Have a look at images taken during the replication process in the image gallery.
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