Customer Reviews

Elegant Plate: Three Centuries of Precious Metals in New York City

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This is a massive, two-volume, boxed set produced by the Museum of the City of New York, one of the sometimes-overlooked gems of the NY museum world, documenting their collections of silver. Most of the work was produced in NYC; some are pieces that were retailed and/or presented there (the most unusual and arcane connection probably being a South American silver-mounted gourd cup with a probably 18th-century NYC inscription; there are also English and continental pieces). Marks are not shown consistently (usually where there is some question as to the attribution, or where the marks are not well known), but the pieces are otherwise well illustrated with photographs. There are over 400 pieces included, and being NY they include some pretty uncommon forms (like embroidery rings, a wine siphon, knitting-needle cases, along with more predictable uncommon forms like sucket forks, porringers and brandy-bowls) as well as more common table and tea wares.

Volume 1 has the introductory essays: in addition to the usual acknowledgements and introduction are pieces on the LeRoux and Van Dyck families, on making and marketing NY silver 1700-1900, and on silver and gold presentation pieces in the city. Also in volume 1 is the first section of the catalog, pieces dating prior to 1784 (although for some reason the above-mentioned South American cup is included in the next section). Volume 2 has the remaining two sections of the catalog, works dating 1784-1850, and then 1851 to the present. Within each section pieces are listed alphabetically by known domestic makers, then unknown makers probably domestic, and then foreign makers.

It is very helpful to have such a range of materials, both chronological and in terms of forms, all collected in one publication, and all with ties to one geographic place. Many are of course associated with major figures in NY and US history, and with major firms and makers like Tiffany - and, earlier, the Boelens, Myer Myers, and so forth - but there are also plenty of more obscure people represented both among the makers and the owners. It's also an aesthetically pleasing set, with illustrated boards and black cloth spines matching the black cloth case, good heavy glossy paper, and quality printing and binding. Highly recommended for serious silver collectors.