A personal stamp
dal 28/2/2003 al 20/4/2003
Segnalato da
28/2/2003
A personal stamp
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
The Seawolf Collection: a collection of 19th and 20th century silver. An international private collection of decorative objects of silver will be on public display in Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen for the first time ever. These objects are representative of silver in the European art nouveau and art deco styles.
The Seawolf Collection: a collection of 19th and 20th century silver
March 1 - April 20 in Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam,
the Netherlands
Rotterdam - An international private collection of decorative objects of silver
will be on public display in Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen for the first time
ever. These objects are representative of silver in the European art nouveau and
art deco styles. The exhibition also comprises many unique pieces dating from
the English Arts & Crafts period as well as some examples of early
twentieth-century American silver.
The collection illustrates the rise of modern design and the different
avant-garde movements in the decades between 1880 and 1940. Most items are of
the most progressive of their time. Besides impressive decorative items, the
collection also includes many objects for domestic use.
The first reforms in the silversmith's trade occurred in England. It is
therefore interesting that the exhibition comprises many English pieces that
have never before been displayed in the rest of Europe.
Two names represent the two different approaches in this reform.
Firstly, Christopher Dresser, who may be considered one of the first real
industrial designers. He embraced modern industrial production and exploited the
possibilities created through new techniques and materials.
Secondly, Charles Robert Ashbee, a British architect and designer and virtually
the personification of the Arts & Crafts movement. Contrary to those of Dresser,
his objects were created through traditional methods in the Guild of Handicraft,
the idealistic workshop he established in 1888. Ashbee's innovations resulted
primarily from a politico-social commitment. Ashbee believed that work done by
hand gave more satisfaction.
The collection comprises not only English objects but also ten fine and unique
examples of progressive silver from France, Germany and various other European
countries as well as from the Untied States. For example, Puiforcat and Tetard
services, a magnificent piece created by the Kalo Workshop in Chicago and five
fully complete, impressive silverware cases from Germany and France.
The name A personal stamp was conceived together with the collector. It refers
to the personal nature of the collection. The exhibition displays style, taste
and fashion in the much broader sense of the words in their relation to
economic, political and social developments.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, tel +31 (0)10-4419561
Museumpark 18-20 3015 CX - Rotterdam