Collection

The Dutch Silver Museum is the only museum in the Netherlands that can tell the full story of silver from A to Z using its own collection: from ore to the design and production process, and from hallmarking to the sale of the finished silver product. The collection also includes study materials for learning the craft of silversmithing or goldsmithing. This alone makes the museum unique and strong in conveying the story of silver, which is so closely connected with the (history of the) Netherlands and with the silver city of Schoonhoven.

In the collection you will find silver, jewellery and ornaments, pocket watches, coins and medals, machines, tools,
factory models and moulds, study models, assay tools and balances, paper, plaster, interior furnishings, and literature.

The museum’s exhibition policy focuses on presenting thematic exhibitions, highlighting the work of contemporary smiths, and putting young talent in the spotlight. In the museum’s silver forge, visitors can watch the smith at work up close. We regularly organise lectures on various subjects, which can be found under ‘Activities’. The Friends of the Dutch Silver Museum also offer lectures and organise events for silver enthusiasts. They also play an important role in helping the museum acquire new objects for the collection.

On this page you can read more about the stories behind specific objects, in-depth lectures, recent acquisitions, and research. Lees hier meer over de missie van het museum. Are you looking for an internship involving research or publications? Then take a look at our vacancies. Would you like to donate something to the museum? Contact director Hans November: h.november@zilvermuseum.nl, or call +31 182 38 56 12.. Or call us: +31 182 38 56 12.

Do you have silver you would like to know more about? On the last Friday of every month, we hold an appraisal consultation hour. We also regularly organise appraisal days in cooperation with certified valuers. In our online collection you can search for works by specific smiths, designers, and more. If you would like to visit the Knowledge Centre for research, please make an appointment with the curator, Lucinda Timmermans: l.timmermans@zilvermuseum.nl.