LuxeBook December 2020

Comparing silver home decor pieces to similar porcelain, ceramic or glass pieces, Vandana feels that they are definitely a far better investment. “Not only will the value of silver appreciate with time, it is also not as delicate as other materials used for home decor. Silver being a precious metal not only adds a luxurious and distinctive element, but is something that has an heirloom value,” says Vandana. According to Sangeeta, silver even outperforms gold. “There are so many characteristics to the metal, which no other metal has. Articles can be of Indian silversmiths who have been in the business since the mid-1800s. “There are multiple ways to decorate one’s home with jewellery pieces. Vintage necklaces and bracelets can be framed in wood, while silver earrings on a wooden palette and these then placed on a feature wall make for great statement pieces. A silver hand harness or a maangtika can directly be framed on a marble slab or an onyx cut stone and placed as a decorative piece. The possibilities are endless,” says Sangeeta. Making the bank Coming to the investment potential of silver, we see that the sky is truly the limit. A quick market analysis shows us that silver as a precious metal has increased 65% in last five months. No other metal has shown this sort of phenomenal rise. And in the past as well, if we see the records, silver has always outperformed all other metals. Echoing this is Prashant who says that silver art piece keeps appreciating in time. “Not just equivalent to their intrinsic silver value but also as they are not so easily found and manufactured any more. Therefore, of course, silver art pieces work as great investment.” “Traditionally, silverware has been used to decorate homes of royalty and was a status symbol. Detailed nakashi and meenakari work add great value to the very colourful aesthetic of Indian decor” Sangeeta Boochra • Silver laminates are the latest trend in home decor and are used extensively to clad furniture and even walls. • An all-time favourite is a grand silver idol at the entrance, may be of Lord Ganesha. • A silver chowky, traditionally used only in marriages, is one of the most useful items that one can own. It can be used as a foot stool in front of a lounging chair, as a magazine stand or even as a planter base. Expert tips on decorating with silver handcrafted in silver as it is a very soft metal, which is not possible in any other metal other than gold,” says Sangeeta. “For instance, anything made in silver is half the weight as compared to gold, as gold is heavier in weight when compared to silver. Let’s say an article in silver weighs 50 grams, the same piece in gold would come out to be 100 grams. This gives an advantage to silver over gold as well.” So, will 2021 be the Renaissance year that heralds the return of silverware art and decor pieces in our homes? Well, we’re surely hedging our bets on that. — Prashant Sarawgi MD & Founder, SR Artefacts 34| L U X E B O O K | D E C E MB E R 2 0 2 0 D E C E MB E R 2 0 2 0 | L U X E B O O K | 35