Elegant Plate: Three Centuries of Precious Metals in New York City (TWO VOLUMES)

Although precious metals have been part of the lives of New Yorkers since the city's founding, until now comparatively little information about them has been available. Consisting of objects made, sold, or owned in New York, the excellent collection at the Museum of the City of New York includes more than 1400 objects of silver and other precious metals, including hollowware, flatware, and jewelry, from the 17th century to the present.

Through essays; biographies of craftsmen, designers, and retail firms; and catalog entries, this generously illustrated two-volume set examines the precious metals trades and usage of precious metals artifacts since the third quarter of the 17th century. Entries include photographs of the objects and their marks, with measurements, description, references, accession information, and history. Biographies of craftsmen and firms update and in some cases, correct, existing information.