Silver

The history of working in silver is identical with that of Goldsmiths’ work in general. (See Gold.) Pollen remarks that though Phidias and his contemporaries made great statues of gold, many artists who devoted themselves mainly and altogether to working in the precious metals executed their best work in silver. Silver was also largely used for the surfaces of mirrors, which were hung on the walls of temples. The best collection of antique silver plate was found at Hildesheim, in Germany, in 1869, and is now in the Berlin Museum. The silver stoup (Fig. 615 ) belonging to the Corporation of Norwich, is of the time of Elizabeth. The illustration (Fig. 614 ) of the silver dish and ewer at St. John’s College (1670), is representative of the change that the goldsmiths’ style underwent about the middle of the 17th century, after which time the light and graceful leaf work gave way to heavier designs. (Consult Pollen, Gold and Silversmiths’ Work.) IMG:6949005855195395773_fig_615.jpg: Fig. 615. Silver tankard of the 16th century. (Belonging to the Norwich Corporation.)