Mined Opulence: A Silver Dinner and Dessert Service from Nevada
What happens when we interpret decorative art through the silver mine? During the Gilded Age, the American silver industry emerged out of the rapid growth of the mining industry in the West in the late nineteenth century, and artworks often came to express complicated ideas about politics, extractive industry, and land. Based on research in her forthcoming book, The American Silverscape, Dr. Christine Garnier, assistant professor of art history, University of California, Santa Barbara, will only scratch the surface of this complex historical moment through Tiffany & Co.’s dinner and dessert service for the family of Comstock billionaire John Mackay, all made from silver extracted from the Consolidated Virginia Mine in Virginia City, Nevada.
The Research at Winterthur series, presented by the Winterthur Library and the Research Fellowship Program, showcases new projects and publications that tap into our rich collections and resources, unveiling innovative perspectives for exploring the fascinating stories that objects can tell about people and our shared past. Registration required. Included with admission. Members free.
Additional programs take place on October 1 and November 5.