The story of the firm began in 1830 when Charles Christofle (1805 - 1863) arrived in Paris from Lyons to join his brother-in-law’s jewellery firm.

When his brother-in-law died in 1837, Charles took over the business which became, within a few years, one of the most successful and popular silver brands of the last two centuries.

Although the firm Maison Aucoc was founded in 1877, its tradition comes from farther back, with Jean-Baptiste Casimir Aucoc, who started working in Paris in 1821 as a silversmith specialising in dressing and travelling cases. Aucoc participated to the French national exhibitions in 1827, 1839 and 1844. In 1851 he won a prize Medal at the Great World Exhibition in London.

The firm was founded in 1880 by Edmond Tetard (1860-1901). It initially specialised in tableware and pieces in style Louis XV. Its popularity grew when, in 1889 Edmond won the golden medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

La Maison Odiot, or House of Odiot was founded in 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Odiot, fine silversmith during the reign of Louis XV.

Thomas Heming was apprenticed to the Huguenot silversmith Peter Archambo, who helped introduce the Rococo style in England. In 1745 Thomas registered his first mark and began to trade the following year from his shop in Bond Street, London.

Charles Frederick Hancock, born in Birmingham in 1809, founded the company in 1849, after terminating his partnership with Storr & Mortimer. In the same year he opened his first shop at 39 Bruton Street and a few months later received the first Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria.

The firm, founded in 1811 by Joseph Angell, is one of the most successful silver and jewellery manufacturers in the mid 19th Century.

After his apprenticeship to Henry Nutting, Joseph obtained his freedom in 1804. In 1811 he entered his first mark as a plate worker and registered his company at 55 Compton Street, Clerkenwell.

There is no record of Charles Fox apprenticeship or documents stating if and when he became freeman of the Goldsmiths Company.

Company founded in 1725
 

The firm Hennell Ltd is a long-lasting family business of silversmiths founded in 1725 by David Hennell (1712-1785). His son Robert Hennell I (1741-1811) joined the company in partnership in 1763 and became sole owner of the business after his father’s retirement. He was soon joined by his son Samuel Hennell (1778-1837) and his nephew Robert Hennell II.

Company founded in 1725
 

The firm Hennell Ltd is a long-lasting family business of silversmiths founded in 1725 by David Hennell (1712-1785). His son Robert Hennell I (1741-1811) joined the company in partnership in 1763 and became sole owner of the business after his father’s retirement. He was soon joined by his son Samuel Hennell (1778-1837) and his nephew Robert Hennell II.

Not much is known about the early life of Edward Barnard. He started his apprenticeship with Henry Chawner and stayed in the business after his master’s retirement in 1798. In 1808 he entered his first mark with Rebecca Emes, widow of John Emes who had joined Chawner as a partner since 1796.

John Emes was a prominent English silversmith of the Regency period.

After his apprentice to William Woolett, he joined Henry Chawner’s silversmith business in 1796 and registered his own mark two years later, taking over the company after Chawner’s retirement.

The firm, founded in 1815, became very popular for pioneering the electroplating and gilding techniques.

It was established in Birmingham by George Richards Elkington’s uncle. George Richards took over the business after his uncle’s death together with his cousin Henry Elkington. A third partner, Josiah Mason who manufactured pens joined the firm from 1842 to 1861, when he left. After George Richards death in 1865 his sons successfully managed the business, which operated independently as Elkington & Co. until 1963.

This prestigious firm of jewellers and silversmiths was originally founded by Paul Storr in 1819 when he left Rundell & Bridge to go in partnership with John Mortimer. John Samuel Hunt joined the company after his apprenticeship with Paul Storr and took his place after he retired in 1838, changing the name of the company to Mortimer and Hunt. In 1843 John Mortimer retired and the firm became finally Hunt and Roskell. At that time it counted three partners: John Samuel Hunt, his son and Robert Roskell Jr. (son of a watchmaker from Liverpool).

Edward Farrell’s apprenticeship and early life is almost completely unrecorded. Although described in Holden's Triennial Directory of 1805-7 as a silversmith, we don’t have any information about his work until 1813, when he registered his first mark. The most productive phase of his career began when he associated with Kensington Lewis, a silversmith and retailer who counted the Duke of York among his prestigious clients.

Benjamin Smith started his career working for Matthew Boulton, whose company produced plate, buckles and buttons. Described as button maker in 1794, he moved to London a few years later, in 1802, joining a partnership with his friend and silversmith Digby Scott. At that time he was already manufacturing for Rundell & Bridge, the most well-know luxury retailer of the first half of 19th Century.