THE STORY OF SILVER (SILVER THROUGH HISTORY) with Kenneth Park

Silver has long been valued as a precious metal and is classified as one of “the [seven]metals of antiquity…which humans had identified and found use for in prehistoric times in Europe and the Middle East.”

Over the several thousand years, it has been used for an extraordinary range of purposes not just for jewellery and tableware, but also in cars, solar technology, electronics, soldering and brazing, engine bearings, medicine, water purification and precious metal portfolios.

This beautifully illustrated lecture will literally chart the story of silver over the centuries.

KENNETH W PARK has served as Curator of Collections at Wesley College, Melbourne for just on thirty years. This role sees him responsible for the school’s extensive art and archival collections. Kenneth also consults in both the corporate and public sectors in philanthropic fundraising (especially in planned giving) as well as marketing, sponsorship, art, membership / loyalty and public relations.

An avid traveller, tour leader and lecturer, Kenneth works with a range of tourism organisations and travel companies across the globe. He lives by the motto: ‘Life is a grand tour so make the most of it’.

His tertiary studies include political science, administration, museum studies, industrial relations, fine arts, history, and international relations. Kenneth has a passion for travel, food, wine, arts, architecture, history, and good conversation … essentially the good life!

This lecture is presented on-site at TJC. Please see your ticket for details.

This lecture is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust

Images supplied |
maker unknown
statue of a deity (Horus, in the form of a falcon), Egypt, late period, 27^th dynasty (Persian rule) circa 500 BC
silver, electrum | 269 mm
collection of Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst, Munich, on loan from the Bayerische Landesbank, Munich

maker unknown
vase of Entemena, circa 2400 BCE
silver, copper | 350 x diameter 180 mm
collection ofLouvre Museum, Paris, France, AO 2674, Public Domain

artist unknown
Silver mining in Kutná Hora, Bohemia, 1490s
645 x 886 mm
collection of The Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region (GASK) [Galerie Středočeského kraje], Czechia