Friedrich Becker Prize 2026

Professor Friedrich Becker (1922–1997) was an internationally renowned goldsmith and designer of kinetic objects and one of the most influential artists in jewelry design in the second half of the 20th century. His works have received international awards, been exhibited, and are collected worldwide. With the awarding of the Friedrich Becker Prize, donated by Hildegard Becker (1928–2018), the Society for Goldsmithing in Germany commemorates the personality and work of the artist. In his spirit, the prize honors outstanding gold- and silversmiths from the next generation.

Winning work by the last Friedrich Becker Prize, Norman Weber.

The Friedrich Becker Prize is endowed with 10,000 euros and has been awarded every three years since 1999 by the Society for Goldsmithing for outstanding, independent design of the highest quality. Previous winners of the Friedrich Becker Prize include Rudolf Bott (1999), Anette Walz (2002), Peter Bauhuis (2005), Robert Baines (2008), Alexander Vohswinkel (2011), Sam Tho Duong (2014), Michael Becker (2017), Junwon Jung (2020), and Norman Weber (2023). To mark the 10th edition of the award, a bilingual catalog is being published by arnoldsche Art Publishers.

In 2020, Junwon Jung won the Friedrich Becker Prize with this minimalist work. Photo: Uwe Dettmar.

Friedrich Becker Prize winner 2017. Necklace by Michael Becker. Photo: Uwe Dettmar.

Sam Tho Duong won the Friedrich Becker Prize in 2014 with this opulent necklace. Photo: Petra Jaschke.

The jury consists of: Melanie Isverding, professor of metal design and jewelry/body-related objects, Dr. Christianne Weber-Stöber, art historian, and Paul Derrez, jewelry artist from Amsterdam.

Conditions of participation

Jewelry makers, gold and silversmiths, and designers from Germany and abroad are eligible to participate. Works from the fields of jewelry and utensils can be submitted. Precious and non-precious materials are equally welcome, as are innovative approaches to technology and design. Each person may submit one work. The work must have been created within the last three years.

Works for the photo jury must be submitted by December 31, 2025. After the photo jury has made its selection, the chosen participants will be notified and asked to submit their work. The works must arrive at the German Goldsmiths’ House in Hanau by February 12, 2026, at the latest.

Award ceremony

The award ceremony will take place on May 9, 2026, in Düsseldorf. The works selected by the jury will be on display in exhibitions in Düsseldorf and Hanau. Complete information on how to apply can be found at

https://www.goldschmiedehaus.com/de/ausschreibung-friedrich-becker-preis-2026