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The beauty, lustre and intrinsic value of silver have made it an object of admiration and aspiration for centuries. The Victoria and Albert Museum has more English silver and a greater range of objects than any other public collection worldwide.

The Gilbert Collection of gold, silver, micromosaics and gold boxes, given to the nation by the late Sir Arthur Gilbert in 1996, has moved from its current home in Somerset House to the Victoria and Albert Museum. This extraordinary collection reflects Sir Gilbert's passion for craftsmanship and opulence and comprises some 800 objects.

Admission to the V&A is free
Some exhibitions and events carry a separate charge

V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
+44 (0)20 7942 2000

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Trev.
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Silver in the Archives

The V&A's Archive of Art and Design holds the working papers of individual artists and designers, as well as the records of companies and associations involved in all aspects of applied art and design. The archives can be consulted by appointment at Blythe House, located near Olympia in West London.

Holdings relating to silver design and production are among the earliest records in the Archive of Art and Design. As well as pattern books, order books and ledgers, there are also designs, sketches, photographs and correspondence documenting the histories of several well known firms and individuals.

Amongst the famous names to be found in the records are Elkington & Company Ltd, who patented their electroplating processes in the 1830s. Designers include Nelson and Edith Dawson, who were both active in the Arts and Crafts movement, and R.E. Stone, who undertook work for the royal yacht Britannia. There are also extensive records from the firm William Comyns and Sons Ltd who held over thirty thousand silverware patterns and created all the coronets for the Queen's coronation.

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