The craft of the silver interior involves converting precious metals, such as gold and silver, into extremely thin leaves. Manually, it was a slow and arduous task requiring total control of the hammer and great precision of the eye.
Objects of decor with a silver finish go well with a contemporary design theme. Since time immemorial, silverware has been an integral part of any household – be it festive occasions or fine dining. An essential constituent of the royalty’s everyday lifestyle, silverware ranges from objects of beauty such as vases and centerpieces to handcrafted furniture or for that memory encased in photo frames and the devotional aspects of silverware what with the superbly crafted idols.
Modern times have brought in many lifestyle changes – nuclear families, rising income levels, exposure through travel and media, and the desire to live in a beautiful ambiance. Along with rising income levels, aspirations have increased and silverware is a great complement in such contemporary, luxurious homes.
New look
An object of beauty does not need to blend into the traditional or contemporary – it stands alongside and lends its own charm to the theme. Silver, being an expensive metal, offers tremendous scope for design and experimentation. This is where silverware has its relevance in contemporary decor – through aesthetics flowing from relatively limited considerations for costs. Finding new uses for traditional products and focusing their design towards present day requirements have become popular of late.
Aesthetic appeal
Home and office decor is in a transition phase, traditional interiors are slowly changing to decor where straight lines dominate our aesthetics and contemporary forms appeal to our senses. In this transition, the traditional often blends into the contemporary and is finally replaced by straight or geometrical shapes where the form and not embellishments provide the aesthetics.
Custom design
Each creation is designed to not only serve the purpose of utility, but also look aesthetic as they are placed in the cabinets of the living room or dining room.
The pragmatic consumer looks at a combination of style and utility. Thus, glassware has reduced the demand for articles such as goblets or wine tasters whereas consumers now want products such as serve-ware or bar-ware that are compatible with serving baked cooking, etc. The everyday life of an upper-end consumer includes thalis, albeit in contemporary forms.
The successful professional looks for silver products that complement the look of his office – from writing sets to photo frames to stylised pen stands or w r i t i n g pads. Modern dinner sets now include cheese boards, cheese knives and a combination of different kinds of dessert/pudding serving dishes, etc.
Classic beauty
Silverware as a part of decor comes in many forms. The aspirational value of silver furniture is significant as it adds an ethereal beauty to the intrinsic charm of large vases. Silver chairs and centre tables add extra warmth to any interiors. Art Deco tea sets not only make an evening special but also form a major part of the contemporary decor styling in any living room.
Then, there is the bar, now an integral part of the modern living room. Handcrafted wine buckets or ice bowls provide a touch of sophistication even as the traditional ice tong is replaced with a contemporary, stylized ice scoop.
Period designs
Silver artifacts have moved along with changing consumer tastes and design concepts for silverware, from the Victorian embellishments of the 19th century to the Art Nouveau period. Jean Puiforcat signaled the beginning of the Art Deco era. Then came the contemporary design movement that took the best from different periods – from the minimalistic forms of the 1930s to the smooth flowing lines of Scandinavian designs. Embellishments then do not form the core of any design but are there only as a relief.
Modern concepts
These days, the trend in silverware is influenced by modern day pragmatism. But the one single feature that stands out is the sheer size of objects. Small vases that were an addendum to any decor have been replaced by huge silver vases that are the decor themselves.