Common phrases such as “born with a silver spoon in your mouth” suggests that - in the Occident at least - this material has been collected by the wealthy as an expression of power since ancient times. The ancient Greeks and Romans used silver coins as portable wealth; and throughout the many wars and revolutions in history, silver was valued as much for its liquidity (melting down the family silver); as for its artistic applications. In 18th and 19th century Europe, silver was another area of patronage for the rich, who commissioned multitudes from silversmiths. The tradition of aristocratic families commissioning silver to mark important occasions such as weddings, births and deaths makes it the perfect anchor to inspire a greater understanding of pivotal events and historic moments in time. Each piece recounts a story that constitutes our most immediate connection to the past.

Family Silver is divided into nine sections: lighting; writing; dining; display; toilette; coffee and tea service; alcohol service; vanities; and a special section dedicated to Asian silver. Highlight galleries include a recreated Chinoiserie reading room; a dining hall that illuminates the evolution of dining traditions in the West; and interactive galleries that teach visitors how to read hallmarks and coats of arms. Key exhibits include a pair of candelabra made in 1837 presented to Howe Peter Browne, 2nd Marquess of Sligo (1788-1845) by the slaves he emancipated in Jamaica; and a 19th-century silver-gilt tray with Napoleon I's coat of arms (1769-1821): both pieces are not only major artistic accomplishments in their own right, but also demonstrate the major historical events silver pieces have witnessed.