The silver age.

• Author: Krayewski, Ed
• Position: Briefly Noted - Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled "British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation" - Brief article

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York through January 20, "British Silver: The Wealth of a Nation" showcases the use of silver in Great Britain from the 1500s to the 1700s, when London was Europe's silversmithing capital.

Silver was Great Britain's currency standard, but it also served as a sign of wealth, education, and taste. Britain's treasury of precious metals was largest during Henry VIII's reign (1509-1547), and the exhibit traces the role of silver in establishing status. On display are silver pieces that...