The exhibits are part of the Rabinovitch collection given to the V& A in 2005 by Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch, who spent 20 years commissioning silversmiths and collecting the works of art.

Peter Brown, director at Fairfax House, said there has been a renaissance in contemporary decorative art in recent years. He said: “It is a joy to use the 18th century townhouse setting to display contemporary art which has been inspired by 18th century art. Our selection captures the technical brilliance and inventive humour of the makers. Utilising elements of sea-life, Scandinavian design sources, fantasy, they also draw upon the timeless elements of the natural world to such forceful effect.”