The Silver Trust
Encyclopedia
The Silver Trust is a registered UK
charity, its initial aim was to provide 10 Downing Street
with a collection of contemporary silver. The Trust was established in 1987 by Rupert Hambro, Lady Falkender
, Lady Henderson and Jean Muir
. The Trust helps encourage and publicise the work of practising British silversmith
s, silver commissioned and owned by the trust is made available on loan for use in UK Government buildings and embassies overseas.
The Trust's earliest commissioned work (1987), was a cruet
set by Malcolm Appleby
. In 1991 a large donation from an anonymous benefactor allowed the Trust to commission a sizeable collection. By 1993 a sufficient amount of silverwork
had been made and was presented to Prime minister
John Major
, to be used for government and state occasions.
During the summer Parliamentary recess the Trust started a series of exhibitions, the venue alternates yearly between the United Kingdom and a destination abroad. These exhibitions have helped The Silver Trust become more widely known and also helped gain commissions for many of the silversmiths represented in the collection. The Trust also uses the exhibitions to show new pieces that have been commissioned into The Silver Trust National Collection.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charity, its initial aim was to provide 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
with a collection of contemporary silver. The Trust was established in 1987 by Rupert Hambro, Lady Falkender
Marcia Falkender, Baroness Falkender
Marcia Matilda Falkender, Baroness Falkender CBE , formerly Marcia Williams , is a British Labour politician, being first the private secretary for, and then the political secretary and head of political office to, Harold Wilson.-Background and early career:Born Marcia Field, Falkender was educated...
, Lady Henderson and Jean Muir
Jean Muir
Jean Elizabeth Muir, CBE, FCSD was an English fashion designer .-History and early career:...
. The Trust helps encourage and publicise the work of practising British silversmith
Silversmith
A silversmith is a craftsperson who makes objects from silver or gold. The terms 'silversmith' and 'goldsmith' are not synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product varies greatly as does the scale of objects created.Silversmithing is the...
s, silver commissioned and owned by the trust is made available on loan for use in UK Government buildings and embassies overseas.
The Trust's earliest commissioned work (1987), was a cruet
Cruet
A cruet , also called a caster, is a small flat-bottomed vessel with a narrow neck. Cruets often have an integral lip or spout, and may also have a handle. Unlike a small carafe, a cruet has a stopper, lid, or phoedelia...
set by Malcolm Appleby
Malcolm Appleby
Malcolm Appleby , is a prominent English engraver. His public and private commissions include: a 500th anniversary silver cup for the London Assay Office ; a raven gun for the Royal Armouries ; a cruet set for 10 Downing Street, commissioned by The Silver Trust ; a sculptural tablepiece for Bute...
. In 1991 a large donation from an anonymous benefactor allowed the Trust to commission a sizeable collection. By 1993 a sufficient amount of silverwork
Silver (household)
Household silver or silverware includes dishware, cutlery and other household items made of sterling, Britannia or Sheffield plate silver. The term is often extended to items made of stainless steel...
had been made and was presented to Prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
, to be used for government and state occasions.
During the summer Parliamentary recess the Trust started a series of exhibitions, the venue alternates yearly between the United Kingdom and a destination abroad. These exhibitions have helped The Silver Trust become more widely known and also helped gain commissions for many of the silversmiths represented in the collection. The Trust also uses the exhibitions to show new pieces that have been commissioned into The Silver Trust National Collection.