The Silver Of The Classical And The Neoclassical Era

For centuries, silver has been a metal that has been both a store of value and a way through which people would show their wealth to the world. Members of the aristocratic class would decorate their homes with silver that would be produced in the premier decorative styles of their respective eras. Irish silver has had an interesting development within the last couple of centuries. Prior to the 18th century, silver objects were mostly produced in accordance to the needs and standards set out by the church and the nobility (Ticher). It was not until the Rococo era that a more secular approach to the arts, and in this case silver, was taken. The silver of the Rococo era was very unique because it featured a lot of asymmetry, fanciful and whimsical

It is quite contrasting to the previous period because while the Baroque era was characterized by straight lines, symmetry, and the attempt to create a sense of grandeur and nobility, the Rococo era established themes and motifs that would clash with the fashionable styles of the Baroque era. The preceding era, the Neoclassical era, also contrasted heavily with the characteristics of the Rococo era because it was a return to the more elegant and stately decorative elements that had been seen in eras prior to the Rococo era. The word "rococo" which comes from the French word "rocaille" refers to a certain decorative style that uses rocks and shells (Delamer and O’Brien). Rococo does incorporate rocks and shells as well as involving elements such as asymmetry, curves, floral motifs, scrollwork, shells, marine elements. The end result of the art produced during this period was a sense of whimsy and lightheartedness. Until the later part of the 18th century, the Rococo style was a dominant style in every aspect of art including architecture and the decorative arts. People who were members of the aristocracy would strive to furnish their lavish homes with equally lavish decorations and home items including silverware. In fact, it was through these silver objects that the

It is composed of a base which features chasing meant to resemble ocean waves in motion. The body of the sauce boat features designs including fish and shells and other similar marine elements, and is chased with leaves. The lip of the sauceboat is asymmetrical, and is scalloped. The handle of the piece is not a standard handle, but is in the shape of a half-fish, half-human entity holding a bladed instrument of some sort (Delamer and O’Brien). Perhaps this figure is a mythical being of the sea similar to Triton, which would be fitting for the Rococo style because of its themes and motifs. Sauce boats such as the one displayed in the museum did not come into extensive use until about the 1740's (Ticher). When they began to become more popular, they became commonplace in homes and those who could afford to buy such expensive objects for their homes would surely have purchased ones that were in line with the decorative styles of their time. Also during this time period, people began to exhibit their lavish dining utensils and other dining ware on their dining tables, rather than placing them on other surfaces or other storage places (McDonnell). Household silverware of the Rococo period definitely demonstrated the decorative style of the time period, with many of the pieces incorporating the elements present in the silver of their