If physical evidence of Kotagede silver from the era of Panembahan Senopati cannot be found, then in which era did Kotagede's silver craft actually begin to develop? A detailed discussion on this can be read here. There are several versions of the answer, but to approach the truth, any answer must be supported by existing facts, such as the discovery of silver pieces crafted in a specific era with verified historical notes.
The intent here is not to invalidate the popular belief that Kotagede silver began during Panembahan Senopati's reign in the 16th century, but to encourage rational thinking. To date, no silver artifacts crafted in the 16th-century Kotagede have been found. If such physical pieces were to be discovered, it would solidify the belief for current and future generations that Kotagede's silver craft culture indeed began during Senopati's era.
The author once participated in a Focus Group Discussion in Kotagede with a Yogyakarta tourism advocate. He recounted a narrative that Kotagede's silver craft began during Panembahan Senopati's reign because he had many hidden enemies. By using plates and spoons made of silver, Panembahan Senopati could supposedly detect if his food had been poisoned, as the silver utensils would change color upon contact with poison.
The author then asked: Is there any physical evidence of the silver plates used during Panembahan Senopati's era? In which museum are they stored? What kind of engravings or designs do they feature? Is it scientifically true that silver plates can detect poison placed upon them? The tourism advocate could not answer, and eventually admitted that the story of silver plates detecting poison was simply a guide narrative to attract tourists visiting Kotagede.
Can silver utensils truly change color in the presence of poison?
The author once welcomed a guest from the Netherlands at Salim Silver. This elderly guest possessed a deep interest in Kotagede silver. Historically, Kotagede's silver craft has a strong connection to the Dutch during the colonial era. When the author shared the tour guide version of the history—that silver can detect poison—he explained that there is indeed a scientific link between health and silver dining utensils.
He shared that in the Netherlands, people could monitor their health by using a personal silver spoon for dining—meaning a spoon used exclusively by themselves and not shared with other family members. If a person's body undergoes metabolic changes, the chemistry of their saliva changes as well. This altered saliva, coming into contact with the silver spoon daily over a long period, will trigger a chemical reaction that alters the color of the silver.
Between these two narratives, the latter—that silver utensils can help detect metabolic changes and monitor personal health—is far more scientifically logical and plausible.