Danish Centre for Silverware

Koldinghus Museum is under the process of extending its collection of silverware. The aim is to create a major exhibition of Danish silver produced from 1550 to the present day.

The museum, founded in 1890, has worked to collect silverware produced both locally and nationally. Local silversmiths such as Holger Kyster and Hans Hansen are, however, a natural focal point for the museum's collections. The museum has also been conducting research and arranging exhibitions for the past ten years, resulting in a series of publications and exhibitions dealing with the Danish silverware unmatched by any other museum in Denmark. The emphasis on the XX century silver is in part the result of the nature of the museum's existing collection. It is also important to note that the XX century is the period during which the production of silverware in Denmark ceased to be a local affair, and became a matter of national concern. In fact, it was during the course of this century that Denmark became a major player in international silver production.

The Silverware Collection will be extended so as to constitute a national collection of works dating from the Renaissance to the present day. This collection will include a representative selection of pieces by silversmiths from all parts of Denmark, and examples of all types of silverware, including items made for daily use and for more ceremonial purposes. The collection will consist not only of hollowware, but also of silver cutlery and jewellery. In addition, the collection will illustrate geographical and temporal similarities and differences, as well as show developments in style and at least in the case of earlier works general developments in the cultural history that forms the backdrop to these works.

The Collection is to be extended by means of purchases, loans and items placed there on permanent loan. The primary aim is to create a comprehensive collection of Danish silverware. The museum will promote and inspire active participation in research relating to Danish silver, both in-house and in general. The museum will also play an active role in documenting the craft of Danish silverware production by collecting design archives, as well as photographs, film, video and audio tape recordings of silversmiths at work.