Important Silversmiths - Sibray Hall & Co
The company, specialised in fine Victorian silver tableware and centrepieces, was founded in 1878 in Sheffield by Frederick Sibray and Job Frank Hall. Following a quick success, in 1890 the two partners decided to open a showroom in London, at 30 Ely Place, Holborn. They also entered their first mark, FS over JH. Frederick Sibray died prematurely the following year, but his partner decided to keep the company’s name and in 1893 he registered his own mark JH.
Five years later, Charles Clement Pilling entered the company, registering his mark CCP. F.J. Hall retired in 1900 leaving C.C. Pilling as the sole owner of the company. In 1912 the firm exhibited its silver production at the Jewellers exhibition in London.
In the August issue of the ‘Jeweller and Metalworker’ magazine, the company’s artworks are praised for their original designs and fine quality: ‘The outstanding features of the goods exhibited by this firm were the originality in their designs, the beautiful finish, and the general high class artistic taste displayed in their silverware. The firm specialise in table ware, dessert services, trophies, and shields, cups and bowls, and tea and coffee services, all of which they guarantee to produce from their own original and exclusive patterns. They will always be pleased to submit designs for any special presentation which is about to take place, and thus enable the retail trade to submit something that cannot be obtained elsewhere’.
