Tastes differ
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Silver with taste, smell and feel
The Stedelijk Museum Zutphen is hosting the exhibition Smaken verschillen (Tastes differ), starring silver from private collections. Together with two other museums - the Zilvermuseum in Schoonhoven and the Hannemahuis in Harlingen - the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Dutch Silver Club with this exhibition.
Smaken verschillen (Tastes Differences ) focuses on smell, taste and touch with a range of silver objects from private collections, as well as the tastes of the collectors themselves. The exhibition is characterised by a combination of historical, modern and contemporary silver and takes visitors along seven themes: Rose Smell and Silver, Fiery Silver, Scoop Work, At the Table, Taste Makers, Coffee & Tea and On the Skin.
For this occasion, silver potpourris from the museum collection have been given a fragrant place of honour in the exhibition. The 'IJsseltype' potpourris - a small vessel on foot, with an arched openwork rim and ajour sawn lid, crowned with a bud or flower stem - were made almost exclusively in Zutphen in the 18th century. About 30 silver potpourri of this type are known so far, all made by Zutphen silversmiths or smiths who learned the trade from them.
As a city, Zutphen has a rich history, including in the field of silversmithing. For centuries, silversmiths worked there, making beautiful silver for wealthy citizens and nobility, ecclesiastical and municipal institutions and the city administration. The 18th century produced a great wealth of 'domestic' silver, with the potpourri as the undisputed highlight. In the exhibition to accompany the theme of Rose and Silver, eight special potpourri's from the collection of the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen are on display.
The exhibition includes perfume bottles and scent vials, as well as smoking and tobacco paraphernalia, candlesticks and candle extinguishers, crockery, plates and bowls, sugar shakers, spoons, coffee and tea sets and special jewellery designed by couturier Mart Visser.
Stedelijk Museum Zutphen
Be surprised by Tastes Differ at the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen! From 29 November to 1 March 2026 , you are welcome from Tuesday to Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 's Gravenhof 4 in Zutphen.
Curious? Take a look at www.museazutphen.nl and plan your visit.
