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Airgeadóir: Four Centuries of Cork Silver & Gold
Project Partner:
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
Contact:
www.crawfordartgallery.ie
Date: 16 April – 4 June 2005
Venue: Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
Project Description:
A unique exhibition ‘Airgeadóir’ brought together for the first time over 250 examples of the work of Cork’s silversmiths and goldsmiths. The exhibition showcased the work of approximately 50 silversmiths and goldsmiths, allowing visitors to gain an appreciation of the surprising degree of artistic achievement by the Cork silversmiths and goldsmiths of days gone by. It was visited by 50,000 people.
The items for ‘Airgeadóir’ came from a number of sources across two continents. The pieces were lent by museums, church authorities, public bodies and corporations, as well as by a number of private collectors.
The exhibition was presented in a series of self-contained “themes” which offered a comprehensive look at the work of skilled and talented craftspeople. Some of the earliest items on display were communion cups, chalices and other items of church silver, including items dating from the early 1600’s. These featured in the Ecclesiastical section of the exhibition, as did some superb 20th century gold and silver gilt items by Cork firm, William Egan & Sons Ltd.
A highlight of the exhibition was the inclusion of a number of Cork Maces, including that of University College, Cork, commissioned in 1910 from William Egan & Sons. The exhibition also featured a number of gold and silver freedom boxes, including examples presented by the county towns of Bandon, Youghal, and Kinsale. These boxes were used to contain the scroll or parchment recording the admission of a recipient to the rank of “Freeman of the Borough”, which were typically presented to visiting dignitaries.
Domestic silver formed the core of the ‘Airgeadóir’ exhibition, and the variety of items was truly amazing. Ranging from large soup tureens, to tiny spoons, this section of the exhibition included coffee and teapots, trays, nutcrackers, asparagus tongs, tankards, sugar bowls, salvers, mugs, beakers, tea caddies, sauceboats, and mustard pots. The styles of these items progressed from plain well-fashioned items of elegance in the 1600s and early 1700s through the exuberant rococo style of the middle of the century, which in turn gave way to the neoclassical style of the 1785-1815 period.
Mr. John R. Bowen, Chairman of The Bowen Group, commissioned a piece from well-known Cork silversmith, Chris Carroll of Sean Carroll and Sons, bringing the theme of the exhibition – four centuries of Cork silver and gold - right up to date. The piece, conical silver fruit bowl, was featured in the exhibition.
Photo Credit: Michael MacSweeney, Provision
