The Gilbert Collection is London's newest museum of decorative arts. The gift of Sir Arthur Gilbert, it includes outstanding examples of European silver, gold snuff boxes and Italian mosaics. The collection, built up by Sir Arthur and previously shown in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California, comprises over 800 articles providing a unique exhibition of the craft of the goldsmith and the silversmith in Europe through the centuries. Four rooms have been created just for the gold objects, with dim main lighting and spotlights on the gold for maximum effect.

Perhaps the simplest and most moving object on display, however, is an embossed gold ewer made in Anatolia (now Turkey) between 2500-2000 BC; a classic example of a goldsmith's skill more than four thousand years ago.

At the heart of the collection are 220 gold snuff boxes. The fashion for snuff, a mixture of powdered and scented tobacco, reached its height in 18th century Europe and gave rise to a new art form of superbly made, expensive boxes for snuff, epitomising the luxurious tastes of the aristocracy. The boxes were often made of gold, adorned with enamel, miniatures or precious stones. The collection includes a gold snuff box with the monogram of Philip V of Spain, made in Paris around 1720, a gold, amethyst and glazed miniature box made in Augsberg or Dresden in 1755 for Elizabeth I of Russia, and six sumptuous boxes of gold, mother-of-pearl, precious stones and carved hardstones made in Berlin in 1765 for Frederick the Great of Prussia.

Other spectacular articles include a chalice of gold, enamel, pearls and diamonds, probably made in Paris in the late 19th century by Lucien Falize, and a matched set, or parure, of comb, tiara, necklace and pair of earrings of gold and hardstones, made in Naples in 1808 for Napoleon's sister, Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples.

The Gilbert Collection in its permanent new home in London shows the goldsmith's art at its highest level.

Gilbert Collection
Strand
London WC2R 1LN
United Kingdom

Tel.     +44 207 420 9400
Fax     +44 207 240 8704
e-mail  info@gilbert-collection.org.uk
Web    www.gilbert-collection.org.uk
           
Open

Monday to Saturday 10 - 18.00
Sunday 12 - 18.00