Silver from Mine to Masterpiece

Renowned for having one of the world's outstanding collections of British silver, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum has been actively building its American silver collection since 2009. "Silver from Mine to Masterpiece" features approximately 170 objects ranging from the typical to the exceedingly rare and dating from a circa-1530 ingot of silver to items made circa 1835. In addition to pieces from the permanent collection, the exhibition also includes objects on loan from private collections.

Exploring themes as broad as, "What is silver?" and, "Is it silver or Sheffield plate?", "Silver from Mine to Masterpiece" will feature sections on master silversmiths such as Paul de Lamerie, Paul Revere, Myer Myers, Hester Bateman, Paul Storr and Matthew Boulton; ceremonial silver; commemorative, military and celebratory silver; ornamentation and technique; fakes and forgeries; condition and conservation; jewlry and accessories; silver made in early Williamsburg; and much more. Approximately one-third of the objects to be on view are of American origin with the remainder from England. Forms range from teapots and tankards made for affluent Americans to a unique silver chandelier weighing more than fifty pounds fashioned for King William III of England.

For anyone who appreciates and admires silver, "Silver from Mine to Masterpiece" offers an extraordinary opportunity to see some of the finest examples of early English and American objects on view together for the first time and to learn about not only the objects themselves but also about silver as a material and the techniques used in fabrication.

Generous funding has been provided for "Silver from Mine to Masterpiece" by the Mary Jewett Gaiser Silver Gallery Fund.