Blog
Silver buyers have never had it so good.
On February 23rd, 2009 myfamilysilver wrote on the subject of Latest News.
Picking up my theme that canny silver buyers have never had it so good, Country Life excitedly reported this week (11 February) that “changes in lifestyle have wrought havoc with the silver market” despite a recent steep rise in the bullion value of silver from £3 to £6 an ounce.
Flying in the face of the strong results in a flurry of auctions before Christmas (reported elsewhere on this page) the magazine declares that “display silver isn’t fashionable”. The investment advice is to buy work by late twentieth century silversmiths such as Gerald Benney, Leslie Durbin and (my personal favourite) Malcolm Appleby. I don’t disagree that collecting post-war British silver is an enriching and potentially rewarding experience.
We are very keen to promote contemporary silversmithing on My Family Silver, hence our support of British Silver Week. But I do object to the oft-repeated stereotype that antique silver is somehow redundant as if a modern teapot is technologically superior to one made in the eighteenth century. Country Life also states, without any evidence, that “abundant 18th and 19th century pieces have dropped in value significantly”. Well, I haven’t seen that but I do accept that there is an awful lot of silver out there looking for a new owner. The reason why? Our ancestors viewed their silver as a decorative addition to their domestic lives not, as we all too often do, as an expensive liability to be insured and (worse!) cleaned. We need to re-adjust our cultural approach to this wonderful material and get it back on the table and into everyday use. I do agree with Country Life on one point, however. Echoing my recent message, the magazine reports that “canteens of good cutlery…can be bought for less than the cost of new stainless steel – good news if you need cutlery”.
My question is, Who doesn’t?
Attending the launch of British Silver Week.
On February 3rd, 2009 myfamilysilver wrote on the subject of Out and About.
To the Goldsmiths Hall today for the press launch of British Silver Week. Now in its second year, British Silver Week was the brainchild of Gordon Hamme who, frustrated by the lack of public awareness of the flourishing British contemporary silver scene, established a week of exhibitions showcasing the best designers.
During Silver Week, which begins this year on 8th June, My Family Silver will host all the participating galleries allowing visitors to view the exhibits online. In the grand and glittering surroundings of Goldsmiths Hall, Gordon announced a series of spectacular events linked to the week including a showcase exhibition at Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire who is a keen patron of contemporary art.
Over at Krug champagne, I met a number of the silversmiths who will be showing their work including Alan Craxford famed for his innovative use of materials and outstanding engraving work; and Ndidi Ekubia who batters and hammers silver into complex and highly beautiful forms. Ndidi had brought along one of her fabulous wine coolers to the press launch – another will be offered as a prize during British Silver Week.
Sterling Silver Wine cooler by Ndidi Ekubia.
I was also introduced to Polly Biekeka of the Gallery Pangolin at King’s Place which will be hosting a show during the week. I am a huge fan of her gallery having visited it before Christmas to see Sterling Stuff II. This remarkable and thought provoking show included works in silver by hip contemporary artists like Lynn Chadwick, Damien Hirst and Anthony Gormley, the famed creator of the Angel of the North. Sterling Stuff II opened many eyes to the versatility of silver as a medium for expressing challenging ideas in art.
Sterling Silver Foetus in Petrie dish by Anthony Gormley.
With such exciting participants, British Silver Week should be a fantastic event.
I can’t wait, can you?
John Culme, who for many years has been connected with Sotheby's Silver Department, is author of several books and articles, including The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, 1838-1914, published in 1987, and co-author with Nicholas Rayner of The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor. He is also a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths' Company, London.
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