Room 65: British Silver Pre-1800

The British Silver displays in this room make a dramatic entrance to the restored 19th-century silver galleries from the elaborate ceramic staircase. On show here is the enormous, flamboyant table centrepiece made by Nicolas Sprimont in 1747 for the Earl of Ashburnham, a baby’s silver rattle with an attachment of coral for teething, a delicate band of silver lace for decorating a dressing table, an Elizabethan gentleman’s gambling counters and a collection of miniature silver toys. In Room 65 you can also find out about the new fashion for drinking tea, coffee and chocolate at the end of the 17th century, marvel at the inventiveness of the makers of cheaper silver substitutes like Sheffield plate, and learn all about the silver hallmarking system.

Room 65 is on Level 3 of the V&A South Kensington.

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