Scotland, famous for its silver design and long history, is for the first time to exhibit its best works in Beijing from September 3 in China Millennium Monument. The exhibition, 'Silver of the Stars, Scottish Contemporary Silver Design', brings to Beijing the best Scottish contemporary silver designer's works, combining the traditional culture of Scotland with modern art.?

Dr David Caldwell, from the National Museums Scotland explains how popular silver is in Scotland.

"There has always been a tradition in Scotland of giving new born babies a silver spoon, there is a saying, that if somebody is well off or had a good start of life, then they were born with a silver spoon in the mouth! For this reason, silver cups and silver spoons are very much a part of our heritage, we see them as a symbol of prosperity. People who are very well off will have silver cups to drink out of, if you ever have the chance to drink wine out of silver cup, it's wonderful."

Silver of the Stars, which has already been seen in London, New York and St Petersburg, is a collaborative project between 10 world famous celebrities and 10 leading silversmiths working in Scotland.

Amongst the famous names involved are Sir Sean Connery, Billy Connolly and Ewan Macgregor.

Michael Laing, deacon of the Incorporation of Silversmiths of the City of Edinburgh, says: "Silver of the Stars has opened to huge acclaim around the world but nothing can match the excitement of being the first ever exhibition of Scottish applied art to be seen in China."

"We hope it will help to foster interest in modern and contemporary British art within China and help to build strong links between the artistic communities in both countries."

Silver of the Stars will be at the Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, from the 3 to 21 of September before moving on to Kyoto, Japan in October, and then returning to The National Museums of Scotland from January, in time for its 550th anniversary exhibition.

Fruit Bowl by Grant McCaig . Photo taken at Silver of Stars. Teapot by Sarah Hutchison . Photo taken at Silver of Stars. Claret Jug by George Paton. Photo taken at Silver of Stars. Absinthe Goblet by Graham Stewart. Photo taken at Silver of Stars. Photo taken at Silver of Stars.

(CRI.cn September 4, 2007)