Style, Status, Sterling: The Triumph of Silver in America

NEWARK, N.J.

:The Newark Museum's newest exhibition, "Style, Status, Sterling: The Triumph of Silver in America," on view through March 2006, traces America's love affair with sterling silver.

More than 150 objects, which span three centuries, will be arranged chronologically and thematically, beginning with pieces from the colonial era and ending with contemporary works. All are taken from the museum's extensive collection, much of which has not been displayed previously.

Silver began as a rare luxury for the elite in colonial America and became a hugely popular commodity in the Victorian era, attracting millions of consumers. In 1900, production of silver was at its peak in America, which was the largest consumer of solid silver wares in the history of the world.

A century later, this country's silver industry had collapsed, a victim of changing lifestyles. Silversmithing lives on today mainly as an art form, collected by people who value craftsmanship and design. Once again, silver is as luxurious and rare as it was in the colonial period.

"Style, Status, Sterling" features silver from every historical period, as well as an exploration of themes such as "Sterling or Coin," "Technology and Prosperity," "Novelty and Affordability," "Craftsmanship as Status," "Grandeur and Conservatism," and "Silver As Art."

A few of the most significant silver pieces include a unique rococo teapot made by colonial silversmith Elias Pelletreau of Southampton, N.Y., for his personal use; a jeweled and enameled coffee set made for the 1901 World's Fair by Tiffany & Co. in its Newark factory; fashionable Art Nouveau silver by Newark's own Unger Brothers; a spectacular Egyptian-style tea urn made by Gorham; and a group of silver by Georg Jensen Silversmiths, purchased by The Newark Museum in the 1920s, when Jensen was just becoming known to Americans.

Organized by Ulysses Grant Dietz, the museum's curator of decorative arts, this exhibition also celebrates Dietz's 25th anniversary in that role. Increasing the museum's collection to more than 600 silver objects during a quarter of a century, Mr Dietz has amassed a significant cache of masterpieces.

Mr Dietz has organized a daylong event with four other nationally known experts on American silver: Deborah Waters, curator of decorative arts, Museum of the City of New York; Janet Zapata, independent curator and former archivist for Tiffany & Co; John and Kathleen Nye, owners of Dawson & Nye Auctioneers & Appraisers. On Saturday, May 21, lectures, discussions and appraisals will take place from 10 am until 4:30 pm. The cost will be $45. For information, 973-596-6613.

The museum is at 49 Washington Street, and, is open Wednesday-Friday, noon to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.