Irish Sterling Silver Loving Cup, John Hamilton, Dublin, 1739-1740

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Antique Irish silver is among the finest in history and at the pinnacle of the silversmiths’ art. Irish decorative arts benefited tremendously from the prevailing state of a wealthy land aristocracy, occupying a land with a fortuitously talented and well educated population, yet impoverished. There were fewer Silversmith in Dublin than in England or America, resulting in smaller output and consequently less availability.

Identifiable Irish silver dates back to the Royal charter of the company of Goldsmith of Dublin in 1637. Heavy-gauged, plain forms characterized the earliest Irish silver, and were mostly used for church wares such as chalices, communion cups, and plates. Huguenot silversmiths fleeing from France after 1685 brought new idea, ideas and refinement preparing Irish Silver to flourish in the approaching age of elegance. 

Irish Silversmith embraced, even led the exuberant aesthetic of the mid eighteenth century Rococo style. New lifestyles demanded new accoutrements, and domestic silver soon included tea and coffee, pots jugs, spoons, serving utensils, solvers, caddies, tureens, tankards, and mugs. As the century passed and empires turned, Irish silversmiths became masters of the refined Neoclassical Movement before coming into their own with the sociopolitically important Celtic Revival. 

Irish silver developed outside of the close control of the English guilds. It, therefore, enjoys more freedom in design. The Irish silversmiths’ spirit of independence seems to align closer to American artists in style than their British contemporaries. Irish silver work is grander,  ornate yet symmetrical, bold yet gracious. A connoisseur can in fact discern Irish from English Silver from its style and design before examining the hallmarks.