A Dazzling Display - Fit for Humans and Magpies Alike

Historically, London has always been a city of thieves. If it’s not your phone nicked on Russell Square, then your sad ham and cheese sarnie will be snatched by a seagull. So goes the myth of the silver-nicking magpie. No wonder we’ve turned to hiding our goods beneath the ground. Nestled beneath the streets of Chancery Lane lies the subterranean proof… a stronghold of silver of which no magpie will ever get a glint.  

… a stronghold of silver of which no magpie will ever get a glint.  

Enthusiasts and idle passers-by alike are invited on an unparalleled tour through time. Here lies a labyrinth of elegance, a clandestine world where opulence takes centre stage. It gives Antiques Roadshow a run for its money.  

One does not know what to expect when stepping into London's Silver Vaults. This is not a well-known place, nor do laypeople frequently visit it. Therefore, the crowd at the Silver Vaults is almost as interesting as the place itself. American tourists with mouths agog, eagle-eyed collectors darting at George V tureens, and darkly robed dealers amalgamate -- hustling to buy some history.  

Since 1953, The London Silver Vaults have been the most established catering of collectable silver. It began with the 1876 Chancery Lane safe deposit, which stored Londoners’ estates amid Victorian crime waves. However, the World Wars -- and their monetary reverberations -- introduced a retail component. Not everything will cost you your mortgages, however. TK Maxx lovers eager to get the most bang for their buck might flock here when they hear items start at £20.

As the term ‘tablescape’ has entered terminology, your next dinner party could upstage any hydrangea chandelier (a centrepiece I recently witnessed). As the saying goes, ‘We eat with our eyes first’ and here you’ll feast upon a salmagundi of silver. Pick up a pair of candlesticks from 1788 – the same year Australia was founded. Or salt dishes from 1750, imprinted with Lord Melbourne’s stamp (Former Prime Minister) serving as a starter for some table talk. Need a nightcap? Silver teapots are here dating from when tea was more expensive than silver.  

As the saying goes, ‘We eat with our eyes first’ and here you’ll feast upon a salmagundi of silver.

For collectors and connoisseurs, the Silver Vaults stand as a haven, but this is the place to start for those embarking on their antiquities journey. Expert dealers and artisans proudly display their wares, guiding visitors through the profound artistry. From highly sought-after Georgian tea sets to sensational Art Deco masterpieces, the diversity of offerings is sure to captivate.

The hallowed halls, adorned with infinite silverware, unfold like chapters in a grand historical novel. Each vault is a repository of tales divining the saga of craftsmanship and sophistication spanning centuries. The ambience seamlessly melds antiquity with modernity; contemporary designs coexist with timeless classics.

Yet, beyond the allure of acquisition, the Silver Vaults offer an immersive experience -- a secret that every Londnr should uncover. Exhibitions and events hosted within the vaults delve into the art of silversmiths. They breathe life into the rich legacy, provenance, and unique stories of the metal. This is no black market; it's a living museum.

A visit to this clandestine realm beneath the streets of Chancery Lane transcends mere shopping (though you’d be excused here if this is your agenda) —it's an immersion that offers discoveries at every turn.

For more information, please visit The Silver Vaults website.