European Silver in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen

Description

This catalogue raisonne is the first study of this area of the Royal Collection for more than a hundred years. Extensive research has uncovered much new information relating to the European silver in the Collection since the last publication on the subject in the early twentieth century. The catalogue discusses more than 350 objects of pre-twentieth-century European silver from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia, with a smaller collection of pieces from Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal and the Austro-Hungarian empire. An introduction on the history of collecting European silver is followed by catalogue entries on silver objects used for dining and drinking, tea, coffee and chocolate wares; toilet services; desk accessories and church plate. Highlights include the German Kunstkammer objects acquired by George IV .

Kathryn Jones is Curator of Decorative Arts, Royal Collection Trust.