Silver & Ceremony from Southern Asia 1830–1930

A dazzling testament to the power of southern Asian silver, this exhibition shines light on the origination, transformation, and consumption of once-rarified goods, to those taken for granted daily around the world. Silver elevates everyday items like coffee, tea, sugar, milk, pepper, salt, tobacco, India pale ale, fruit punch, ketchup, and mustard. Silver commemorates milestones like birth, marriage, and death, as well as sports events and military service. Silver also celebrates important moments in many religious traditions. The ceremonial silver featured in this exhibition includes items that reference Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic practices. In the nineteenth century, silver even made photographs possible. And these photographs created a demand for silver frames in which to showcase them.
Silversmiths and British adventurers in southern Asia produced works of outstanding artistry. Their work amazes viewers today, as it did centuries ago. This exhibition features over 150 suites of silver, drawings of silver designs, and other decorative arts, providing a better understanding of the way we live and also the profound debt that we owe to South Asia.

Image credit: O.M. Oomersee Mawji, Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat, India, Coffee and Tea Service with Elephant Finials, Makara Handles, Makara and Chinkara Spouts, and Jungle Motifs, 1890–1910, Silver and ivory spacers; Generous gift of Harish K. Patel, 2022.158.1,-.2,-.3,-.4