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.

In 1872 Carl Fabergé took over his father’s company and in a few years turned the family business into the most famed and distinguished silver and jewellery brand.

In 1885 he was appointed as Imperial Goldsmith and Jeweller. In the same year he was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III to create the first Imperial Easter Egg as a gift for his wife Maria Feodorovna.

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.

Indian Colonial Silver refers to the silver artworks produced in India mainly for a European clientele from 1790 - when the East India Company began trading business in Calcutta - until 1947 - when India gained the independence from the British Raj.

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.

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.

We’re delighted to announce the release of our latest catalogue, this year we decided to focus on the biographies of the most renowned silversmiths rather than individual items. We believe in the importance of shedding some lights on the craftsmen behind some of the most beautiful items created.

To serve the Royal Court has been the highest aspiration of tradesmen and craftsmen for centuries, ever since in 1155 King Henry II gave a Royal Charter to the Weavers’ Company. During the 15th Century tradespeople started to be officially recognised with the Royal Warrant of Appointment.

Until recent days, women had few rights especially in business and in the rare case they were allowed a professional career, they were by law subject to the control and domination of their husbands and relatives.

"Chinese Export Silver" refers to the silver made in China, mostly from late 18th Century to mid 20th Century for the Western clientele.

When in late 18th Century the commercial exchanges between East and West started to flourish, the demand for fine Chinese products increased significantly.