The Craft of Tea: 1660-2024 is a free exhibition hosted at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, offering a captivating journey through the stylistic and thematic evolution of tea culture. On display are exquisite silver objects from the Chitra Collection.
London hosts the Chitra Collection exhibition, offering free admission to the public. Over forty remarkable pieces from the collection, spanning from the seventeenth to the twenty-first century, will be showcased.
These treasures will be accompanied by loans from esteemed collections such as The Pearson Silver Collection, The Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, and contributions from individual artisans. The Chitra Collection team, long-time supporters of the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s public and training initiatives, collaborates on this unique exhibition, providing an exceptional opportunity for industry professionals, Londoners, and visitors to experience this extraordinary collection. Structured into eight thematic sections, the exhibition guides visitors through the historical journey of tea trade in Europe, exploring tea consumption as ritual, symbol of power, and catalyst for rebellion, all the way to the innovative designs of modern and contemporary teapots.
With a global perspective, the exhibits also provoke contemplation on the current concerns of UK silversmiths. Each thematic display features both historical and contemporary examples, creating a dialogue between past and present. Whether driven by visual fascination, historical intrigue, or practical interest, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in this celebration of the artistry behind the tea-making craft.
Location: The Goldsmiths’ Centre, 42 Britton Street, London EC1M 5AD
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