The importance of Western European metalwork from the 12th to the early 20th centuries lies not so much in the considerable number of items as in their quality. As well as fascinating medieval pieces, Renaissance silver objects and bronzes, there are also the world-famous collections of 18th-century French and English silver by the leading goldsmiths of the age.
The outstanding pieces of medieval silver are in a variety of styles, from the 12th-century reliquary in the form of the figure of St Stephen and a number of pieces in Gothic style, such as the processional cross from the Monastery of St Trudpert, near Freiburg.
The Renaissance produced a great variety of metalwork articles. The art of plaque making reached its height in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Hermitage has bronze, silver and lead plaques by Italian, German, and Dutch craftsmen. The greater part of the silver articles from this period is made up of German dishes and cups.
