The beauty and brilliance of silver have made it an object of admiration throughout history. This exhibition traces the history and evolution of silver made in Britain through forty-six works from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Boldly combining ancient practices and skills with the latest technological developments, these pieces reflect trends in fashion and design across continents.

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Spectacular examples of historical silver dating from the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century from the renowned Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection are displayed alongside dramatic sculptural pieces from noted contemporary silversmiths such as Gerald Benney and Michael Lloyd, along with original sketches. Ranging from the entirely abstract to the startlingly representative, these pieces demonstrate the diverse influences from which silverwork in Britain draws inspiration.

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Alongside Masterpieces of British Silver, selected pieces from the Liang Yi Collection of vanities provide a personal perspective to complement the silver exhibits, displaying techniques that parallel those used on silver, but on a smaller scale.