If you were to share a drink with a friend, who would it be and what would you drink? This question became the foundation for
Silver of the Stars - a stunning collection of contemporary silver designed for some of the biggest names in film, music, fashion, theatre and literature.
From October 23, 2009 to January 10, 2010, the Royal BC Museum is proud to present the Canadian premiere of Silver of the Stars.
Each of 10 celebrities, including Sir Sean Connery, Billy Connolly and Ewan McGregor, partnered with one of 10 Scottish silversmiths to create elaborate drinking vessels. The celebrities’ answers to a series of questions posed by the silversmiths became the inspiration for the finished silverworks: the motorcycle handlebars on Ewan McGregor’s coffee pot and mug are reminiscent of a world-journey McGregor once made, and novelist Ian Rankin’s desire for a reflection of Scotland’s industrial past comes across in a drink tray modelled after the famed Forth Bridge in Scotland.
Did You Know?
Each artwork in the Silver of the Stars collection bears an imprint of the celebrity's signature.
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Sir Sean Connery and his Scottish drinking bowl
Photo: © Shannon Tofts (left) © Alistair Devine (right)
Sterling silver and silver gilt
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Also on display is a companion exhibition, The Millennium Collection for Bute House – a selection of tableware designed for use at the Scottish First Minister’s official residence. Created between 1999 and 2000, the 14-piece set celebrates the re-establishment of Scotland’s Parliament after an absence of nearly 300 years. Both collections in the Silver of the Stars exhibition were commissioned by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh.
Museum Admission, including Silver of the Stars:
$15 Adult / $9.50 Senior, Youth, Student / Free for children 5 years and under.
Free for members and annual pass holders. For tickets, click
here to visit our on-line ticketing page.
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Ewan McGregor and his motorcycle-inspired coffee pot
Photo: © Shannon Tofts (left) © Alistair Devine (right)
Fine silver, gold, rubber and acrylic
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Did You Know?
Silver date stamps (hallmarks) are identified by a letter of the alphabet - once all letters have been used, the assay office (organization that regulates hallmarking) starts again, but with a different font.
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Ian Rankin with his industrial-style tray and tumbler
Photo: © Shannon Tofts (left) © Alistair Devine (right)
Sterling silver, silver gilt and patinated brass
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