Our Silver Heritage

14 August - 25 September 1997

Reflecting the history of New Zealand gold and silversmithing, the touring exhibition Our Silver Heritage has been curated from the collections of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Featured in this small but interesting show will be ewers and goblet sets in sterling silver and greenstone (New Zealand jade), tea services and trays with engraved and hammered decorations from a variety of artistic styles, cutlery sets and elaborate ornamental centrepieces which encapsulate the taste and opulence of the late nineteenth century. There are also pieces with intriguing histories like the ink stand made from a silver mounted horse's hoof from the famous racehorse Danebury and a ceremonial sterling silver railway spike which was presented to the Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward on the completion of the Main Trunk Line in November 1908.

For those who love the lustre of fine silver and the intricate skills of the silversmith, this show featuring 16 exquisite historical pieces is being toured by Exhibitour and should not be missed.

This exhibition was held at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery in the Botanic Gardens.