Robert Goldsmith trained at the West Surrey College of Art and Design from 1981 to 1984. He studied extensively abroad, including periods at Bergen’s Kunthandverkskole in Norway, the Loire Valley with Owen Watson, and on the Danish island of Bornholm. In February 1985, Robert set up his workshop in Hampshire, known as 'Selborne Pottery'. All of Robert's work at Selborne is handthrown and turned stoneware; no moulds or machines are involved in the process, which calls back to the now rarely used traditional techniques of pottery. Robert, and the team he works with, are proud that everything, from first wedging to final decoration, is done by hand. 

The decoration of Robert's work often uses cobalt blue and copper red glazes, which are rich and full after firing. Some special pieces also use gold lustre, which can be tricky to use as it requires a third firing to account for the actual gold used in the glaze. All of the pieces on display, regardless of their abundance of decoration and design, are ultimately designed to be used, and are even dishwasher and microwave safe. They are a fine balance between decorative and functional.