Recently I made my annual birthday pilgrimage to see the fantastic collection of Irish silver at the San Antonio Museum of Art. I usually find myself alone in the silver room, so I can take my time going from case to case, talking to myself and pressing my nose against the display cases. Though I have visited this collection several times, the joy and awe and excitement I feel on seeing the silver is never diminished. There are just so many darn good pieces to look at.
While the silver itself is stunning, the way it is displayed could be more so. Drawbacks include poor lighting; all of the natural light has been blocked out and the overhead bulbs seem to be aimed on some pieces at the worst angle possible. There is crackling and waving to the plexiglass of one display case in particular (where the 17th century slip top spoon resides) which distorts the objects in the case. And, the pieces would benefit greatly from a polish (for which I eagerly volunteer my services!). The silver could also be more imaginatively displayed. For instance, since there are four matching salts made by John Hamilton, at least one of the salts could be displayed to enable the viewer to see the hallmarks. Same for the pair of salts by Henry Daniel. Using mirrors and magnifiers would also allow visitors to see hallmarks and engraving. Negatives aside, Mr. Rowan's collection of Irish silver was once again an absolute joy to visit.
Unlike my visit there this time last year, I remembered to take some photographs, though not by any means very good photographs. I hope you enjoy looking at them.
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| Clockwise from upper left: Chocolate pot by David King, c. 1713; Set of three casters by Thomas Bolton, 1708/09; Slip top spoon, 1655/56; Pair of tapersticks by Thomas Bolton, c. 1710 |
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| Clockwise from upper left: Herb or small teapot, Matthew West, c. 1775; Covered sugar bowl by Peter Racine, 1736/37; Teapot by Bartholomew Mosse 1736/37; Covered cream jug by William Homer, c. 1760 |
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| Clockwise from upper left: Pair of mugs by Thomas Walker, c. 1730; Sugar bowl by William Clarke, Cork, c. 1730; Punch strainer by Anthony Stanley, 1715/16; Snuffers (by Peter Gervais) and tray (by Thomas Walker), 1717/18 |
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| Clockwise from upper left: Four racing prize horseshoes by James Le Bas, 1843/44; Pair of spurs by William Law, c. 1780; Octofoil salver by John Hamilton, 1717/18; Butter piggin, James Fry for Alderman West, 1825/26 |
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| Two pairs of salts by John Hamilton, c. 1730; One of a pair of salts by Henry Daniel, 1715/16; Dressing table box by Joseph Walker, 1717/18; Pair of toilet boxes by Thomas Bolton, 1699/1700 |
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| Top: Selection of freedom boxes. Bottom: Box with pair of tea canisters and sugar box by Ambrose Boxwell, c. 1770 | |
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