Sir Sean Connery and his silver loving cup (or quaich),
designed by Scottish silversmith Michael Lloyd
Okay, sure, Sean Connery is handsome... but check out that silver loving cup he's holding!! Now that's gorgeous! The cup is part of a traveling exhibition of silver drinking vessels, currently showing at the San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design, collaboratively designed by Scottish celebrities and silversmiths. Each celeb/artist duo was asked to design a piece of silver on the theme of "a drink with a close friend." Exhibition proceeds go to charity, and some of the pieces are really quite striking...
Silversmithing is a centuries-old tradition in Scotland, but the art is still widely practiced today, and "Silver of the Stars" is intended to showcase the marriage of old techniques with modern design. This coffee set, designed for Ewan McGregor by the artist Marion Kane, is a lovely example, with fine hammered silver paired with reclaimed motorbike handles.
The comedian Billy Connolly is a tea drinker, and also a motorcycle enthusiast, so this tea service is meant to recall his Harley. Glasgow artist Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill used Connolly's own drawing of his hog as a basis for the design.
Fashion designer Alexander McQueen wanted a goblet and spoon for drinking absinthe, so the artist Graham Stewart fashioned this heavy, almost medieval-looking cup with two opposing faces.
Click over to the "Silver of the Stars" site for a peek at more of the pieces in the exhibit, or visit the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design to check out the collection in person.
(Images: Silver of the Stars)
"Silversmithing is a centuries-old tradition in Scotland..."
Um, Silversmithing is a centuries-old tradition pretty much everywhere...
view bepsf's profile
Why is there a white Scottish Rampant Lion on his forehead?? .... so confused...
view Caroline79's profile
Ha! I just thought his forehead looked like plastic, but you are dead right about the lion.
view carrier's profile
That's true, bepsf, but only Scotland is relevant to this post.
view susiekn's profile
Oh my god funny! I was confused by the forehead yesterday (thought it was just extra shiney) and thought I'd check the comments today to see if it was just me. But it IS a lion! I hadn't noticed before!
But I'm still confused....
view Kit_Kat's profile
I just assumed it was a reflection from the bowl, bouncing off the top of his head.
view zenmonkey's profile
impossible zen monkey. he isnt looking into the bowl.
view itsthehouseshow's profile
Maybe Sean walked around for a few days in a sunny climate with a rampant lion taped on his head, then removed the tape (ouch) to show off his tan line?
view #9's profile
#9 i was so thinking that while giggling to myself! this is irrelevant, but...anyone remember SNL making fun of sean connery as a contestant on jeopardy? lol
view Kpaige13's profile