The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Object

The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

Ellenor M. Alcorn, Associate Curator, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses how in England, as in Europe, a rich display of silver was essential to the expression of power. Discover how English sovereigns from Elizabeth I to George III and their courtiers competed culturally on the international stage, commissioning silver and other luxury goods to establish their stature. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation, on view May 15, 2012–January 20, 2013.

Recorded October 12, 2012

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Cup and saucer

Capodimonte

Date:: ca. 1745
Culture:: Italian (Naples)
Medium:: Soft-paste porcelain
Dimensions:: Cup (.222): H. 2 3/4 in. (7.0 cm.) Saucer (.223): Diam. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm.)
Classification:: Ceramics
Credit Line:: The Hans Syz Collection, Gift of Stephan B. Syz and John D. Syz, 1995
Accession Number:: 1995.268.222, .223

This artwork is not on display

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The Usefulness of Magnificence: Silver and the English Court

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