Shining Lights: Irish Silver

Celebrating our Silver Anniversary, The Merrion Blog takes a look at the beautiful history of Irish Silver, and meets some of today’s makers.

Irish silver is known around the world, its story glittering through centuries. While there are examples dating back almost 4,000 years, the golden age dates to the era of the Ardagh Chalice, made in the 700s. The intricate, elegant and beautiful early Christian drinking cup has more than 350 separate pieces, including gold and bronze banding, set with stones, and depicting animals and birds.

In one of Ireland’s beautiful stories, it had been lost for more than one thousand years, before being discovered by two young boys digging for potatoes in County Limerick in 1868. It is thought that it, alongside brooches and a plainer cup, had been hastily buried to protect them from Viking raiders. Today it is on display in Dublin at the National Museum of Ireland, and is, alongside the Book of Kells, and the famous Harp, one of the most recognisable symbols of Ireland

Hallmarks didn’t appear on Irish silver until 1498, when the crowned harp joined the maker’s mark to show you were on to a good thing when you bought a piece. Over the years, more marks appeared, including the seated female figure of Hibernia, which showed that excise duty had been paid. Today, the Dublin Assay Office, which opened in 1637, proves all Irish silver. While early examples of Irish silver were Christian in origin, the Georgians confirmed its place in the home, and the buildings of the Merrion Hotel would have been filled with beautiful goblets, chasers, table rings, salvers and platters, glowing in the candlelight.

There were teaspoons aplenty too. In his Irish Aesthete column, historian Robert O’Byrne notes that in 1788, during the reign of George III, almost 28,000 silver teaspoons were recorded by the Dublin Assay Office, their popularity driven not by their small size, which made them more affordable, but by the Irish love of tea and hot chocolate. Find Georgian Silver at Weir & Sons on Grafton Street, the antique shops of Francis Street, and on the antiques floor of the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.

 

Today, while you’ll find plenty of silver made to Celtic and traditional designs, a new breed of craftspeople are truly elevating the art. The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland details some of the best, in a roster that includes internationally collected names as Cara Murphy, Michael McCrory, Séamus Gill, and Coilin O’Dubhghaill. Dublin-based Gill’s one off works are instantly recognisable, sculptural jewellery, as well as commemorative pieces.

“This year I’m finishing silver commissions, silver bowls and drinking cups that will be hallmarked with this years special commemorative mark, a harp, to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Irish State,” says Gill. Gill’s work is generally made to order or commissioned, but you can also find pieces for sale via his website, which prices starting at €85 for a small pair of Shadow Lines earrings. And as Gill says, “the pieces become family heirlooms, passed from generation to generation.”

Based in Hillsborough, Cara Murphy has played host to Presidents and Royalty, drawing inspiration from the natural world for her award-winning work, which often combine enamelling with delicate silver to gorgeous effect. Murphy is also famous for creating the trophy that was presented to Rachel Blackmore, when she became the first woman jockey ever to win the Grand National Horse Race in 2021.

Also look out for pieces by Annmarie Reinhold; and Stuart Cairns, for edgier directions with this beautiful material. All the makers mentioned will work to commission, and if it’s not something you’ve done before, it’s an amazing process, where you can explore ideas, and have something created uniquely for you. Don’t be afraid to discuss costs, and explore ideas with some of Ireland’s most talented makers.

And what if you like the idea of doing it yourself? SilverWorks at Madeleine Blaine’s independent Dublin jewellery store, The Collective has an intriguing Ring Carving set. Inside, you’ll find a wax ring, and the tools you need to shape your own

Happy Merrion Silver Anniversary