Alexander in America: Reflections from the Birmingham Museum of Art - Silver & Ceremony: South Asia, 1830–1900
This summer marked an especially meaningful journey for me as I travelled to Birmingham, Alabama, to attend the opening of Silver & Ceremony: South Asia, 1830–1900 at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
As I walked through the beautifully curated exhibition space, I was filled with a profound sense of pride and gratitude; not only for the opportunity to witness it in person, but also for the major role I played in bringing this extraordinary collection of Harish K. Patel to life.
The exhibition is a rich celebration of 19th-century South Asian craftsmanship. From intricate silverware to ceremonial objects, each piece is presented with great care, allowing visitors to appreciate the depth of skill, symbolism, and cultural context they embody.
For me, this is not just an exhibition; it is deeply personal. Each object on display carries with it more than just historical value. It carries memory. Over the course of more than a decade, I’ve built a connection with each piece: some found during summer wanderings in the south of France, others uncovered on quiet early mornings with coffee in hand, or during fog-laced starts in northern Italy; still slightly groggy from the Tiggnanello the night before, yet compelled by the thrill of the hunt.
Behind every acquisition lies a vivid recollection. These are not just artefacts of colonial and regional history; they are fragments of my own path; snapshots of time, place, and personal growth.
Each piece in Silver & Ceremony reflects more than just its era. It holds my passion for history, my pursuit of knowledge, and the countless hours spent researching, learning, and sourcing. This project has been about connection; connection to Indian culture, to craftsmanship, and to my own journey as a scholar and curator.
Silver & Ceremony stands as both a tribute to South Asia's artistic legacy and a reflection of my own evolution. I am deeply grateful to Harish K. Patel and to the Birmingham Museum of Art for their vision, trust, and generosity—for allowing me the privilege of contributing to something so meaningful.
