Plan your Visit
The McCord Museum
The Museum Team
Silver from the Collection
of the National Gallery of Canada
Wednesday June 2
The McCord Museum inaugurates Quebec Silver from the Collection
of the National Gallery of Canada, a travelling exhibition of
both sacred and secular masterpieces of silversmithing. The
exhibition bears witness to the passion of an extraordinary
collector, Mr. Henry Birks, and elegantly documents the major
trends marking the history of decorative arts in Canada since
the seventeenth century.
has been used in Quebec since the arrival of the first French
settlers — imported pieces from the home country were found
alongside works by silversmiths active in the colony.
Whether intended for sacred use or for the French-Canadian
aristocracy, this early silverwork conveys the influence of the
highly ornamental Baroque and Rococo styles. Works produced
during the Neo-Classical period show both a characteristic
severity of form and line and an interesting convergence of
British and French influences.A
more supple, sinuous vocabulary was restored during the
historicist revivals of the early nineteenth-century, and many
of the pieces from this era echo earlier stylistic themes. The
Romantic reverence for nature combined with increasing
nationalist sentiments gave rise to Canadian Naturalism.
Pieces from this period feature local flora and fauna,
particularly the maple leaf and the beaver, and refer to the
daily routines and activities of Quebec society. The
twentieth-century preoccupation with the relationship of form,
function and beauty is well-documented by beautiful Art-Deco and
Modern pieces in the exhibition.
All of the works originate in Quebec, historically
renowned for its silversmiths and the artistry of the sacred
vessels and other liturgical silver used in Roman Catholic
exhibition features beautifully engraved and ornamented
masterpieces of the silversmith's art, including tea services, a
speaking trumpet, salvers and cruets, commemorative plaques and
cups of all kinds, a feathered punch bowl on hen's feet, and a
majestic collection of liturgical silver — monstrances,
aspersoria, an incense boat and magnificent chalices. Begun in
1962, the National Gallery's silver collection was significantly
expanded by a donation from Henry Birks' collection in 1979 on
the centennial of the founding of Henry Birks and Sons, Inc.
Now, in celebration of their 120th anniversary, the
Montreal jewellers are helping to bring the collection home.
Quebec Silver from the Collection of the National Gallery of Canada is organized by René Villeneuve, Assistant Curator, Early Canadian Art at the National Gallery. In addition to the sponsorship of Henry Birks and Sons, Inc., the exhibition has also received generous support from Chubb Insurance Company of Canada and Power Corporation of Canada. The exhibition is accompanied by a beautiful catalogue, available at the McCord Boutique.
(514) 398-7100, ext. 251
Photographs and slides available on request
The McCord wishes to acknowledge the support of the Heritage Canada Museums Assistance Program, the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications and the Arts Council of the Montreal Urban Community.