Curator Talk: Filigree and Dragons: An Introduction to 19th-Century Norwegian Silver
Around 1900, the Norwegian city of Bergen was a flourishing center of silver production. The city’s proud goldsmithing tradition merged with 19th-century industrialization and the search for national identity and political independence. The result was magnificent Viking ships in plique-à-jour enamel, impressive centerpieces in historical styles, and delicate silver objects inspired by French Art Nouveau.
In this lecture, curator Morten Spjøtvold from Kode Bergen Art Museum will present an overview of the development of Bergen silver in the 19th century. Spjøtvold oversees the museum’s collections of glass, metal, and furniture, and specializes in the decorative arts around 1900.
Morten Spjøtvold. Photo: Dag Fosse / Kode Bergen Art Museum.