The second phase of the redisplay of the Silver Galleries at the V&A will open on 1 6 February 2000. Following the successful creation in 1996 of galleries devoted to English silver 1300-1800, Silver 1800-2000 will showcase further spectacular objects from the National Collection of Silver, celebrating two centuries of experimentation and inventiveness in this precious metal.

Over 1000 pieces from 1800 to the present day will be beautifully displayed in a restored Victorian setting. Objects from Britain, the Continent and America will be as diverse as a lady's skirt train holder1 a sea urchin salt cellar, a presentation spade and an impressive Doncaster race cup standing over 3 feet high. Pull out drawers will be filled with curiosities and collectors' items ranging from cutlery to bottle tickets and novelty nutmeg graters. Exquisitely crafted Regency flatware will illustrate the fine art of laying the table. Social themes such as silver for hotels and for clients in India and Burma and for neo-gothic churches will be explored. Silver by such major 19th-century designers as A. W. N. Pugin, William Burges and Christopher Dresser will feature prominently. Three life-sized electrotype lions will stand guard at one end of the galleries. The galleries themselves have been painstakingly restored to their original 1 ~ splendour, providing a richly painted and gilded setting for the spectacular objects on display.
The Museum is committed to supporting contemporary craftsmanship and one room will be devoted to modern silver, culminating in a selection of international highlights from the last ten years. These include several of the most inventive and arresting exhibits in the gallery, many of them confounding expectations and making use of exciting new textures, colour finishes and forms.