Pushkin’s Blog
Important Silversmiths – Jean-Valentin Morel
A student of Adrien-Maximilian, maker of gold boxes to Louis XVI and Napoleon. In 1818 he started working independently and registered his first mark in August 1827 and later went to work with the Fossin brothers in 1834, remaining there until 1840.
Important Silversmiths – Puiforcat
Founded in Paris in 1820 by Emile Puiforcat, the firm produced originally silver flatware and cutlery. At the end of the century Louis-Victor Puiforcat shifted the focus of the company to high-end silver pieces, especially reproductions of 18th Century masterpieces.
Important Silversmiths – Cardeilhac
The company was founded in 1804 by Antoine-Vital Cardeilhac, who specialised in silver tableware and cutlery in a fine Rococo style.
Soon, the firm gained notoriety participating to the International Fairs and winning a bronze medal in 1823 and the silver one in 1827 and 1834.
Important Silversmiths – Christofle
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.
Important Silversmiths – Maison Aucoc
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.
Important Silversmiths – Tetard Freres
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.
Important Silversmiths – Maison Odiot
La Maison Odiot, or House of Odiot was founded in 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Odiot, fine silversmith during the reign of Louis XV.
Important Silversmiths – Thomas Heming
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.
Important Silversmiths – Charles Hancock & Co.
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.
Important Silversmiths – Joseph Angell & Family
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.
Important Silversmiths – Charles Fox & Family
There is no record of Charles Fox apprenticeship or documents stating if and when he became freeman of the Goldsmiths Company.
Important Silversmiths – Hester Bateman
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.
Important Silversmiths – Robert Hennell
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.
Important Silversmiths – Edward Barnard
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.
Important Silversmiths – John Emes
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.
Important Silversmiths – Elkington & Co
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.
Important Silversmiths – Hunt & Roskell
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).
Important Silversmiths – Edward Farrell
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.
Important Silversmiths – Garrard & Co
The firm, founded by George Wickes in 1735, was based in Mayfair, London and manufactured silver and jewellery. Robert Garrard joined the firm in 1792 and ten years later he became its sole owner.
Important Silversmiths – Paul Storr
Paul Storr is the most celebrated English silversmith of the Regency period and one of England’s most famed of all times.
Ranging from tableware to the most magnificent sculptural artworks, he made use of the most innovative technology to create extravagant and very sophisticated masterpieces.