Silver. The history of working in silver is identical with that of Goldsmiths’ work in general. (See Gold.) Pollen remarks that though Phidias and his contemporaries made great statues of gold, many artists who devoted themselves mainly and altogether to working in the precious metals executed their best work in silver. Silver was also largely used for the surfaces of mirrors, which were hung on the walls of temples. The best collection of antique silver plate was found at Hildesheim, in Germany, in 1869, and is now in the Berlin Museum. The silver stoup (Fig. [615]) belonging to the Corporation of Norwich, is of the time of Elizabeth. The illustration (Fig. [614]) of the silver dish and ewer at St. John’s College (1670), is representative of the change that the goldsmiths’ style underwent about the middle of the 17th century, after which time the light and graceful leaf work gave way to heavier designs. (Consult Pollen, Gold and Silversmiths’ Work.)
Fig. 615. Silver tankard of the 16th century. (Belonging to the Norwich Corporation.)
Silver. In Christian art, an emblem of purity. (See White.) As one of the two metals among the tinctures of Heraldry, represented by a white space. (See Argent.)
Silver, Cloth of. Josephus tells us that the royal robe of Herod Agrippa was a tunic made of silver. In the Middle Ages it was woven, like gold, in long narrow shreds unmixed with anything else, into a web for garments.
Sima, Arch. (See Cyma.)
Simikion, Gr. (σιμίκιον). A musical instrument of the Greeks; it had thirty-five strings.
Simpulum or Simpuvium, R. A small cup used for libations. It was in the form of a ladle with a long handle.
Sinciput. The front part of the head. The back part is the occiput.
Sindon (σινδών). (See Corporal.)