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Peter, Ann &amp; William Bateman

Antique Silver George III Cake / Bread Basket made in 1802

The firm had its origin in the mid-18th century coming into control of John William Thomas in 1848. After his death (1852) the firm was managed by his two sons, John William Thomas II (apprenticed to his father in 1840, obtained his freedom in 1847) and Francis Boone Thomas. Francis Boone Thomas was apprenticed to his father in 1847 and after his father's death was turned to his brother John William Thomas II, obtaining the freedom in 1854. The firm (trading as retail silversmiths) was known as J.W. Thomas &amp; Son or as J.W &amp; F.B. Thomas. After the death of John William Thomas II (circa 1862/1867) the control of the firm was assumed by Francis Boone Thomas. F.B. Thomas entered his first mark in 1874 listing at 153 New Bond Street as showrooms and 13 Oxford Market as manufactory.

In this period, the firm had deep links with Richard Sibley II (manufacturing Silversmith), who was active (1862/1880) at the same address of 13 Oxford Market acting, presumably, as manufacturer of finished articles retailed by Thomas (some pieces bear the inscription THOMAS besides Sibley's hallmark).

In c. 1896 entered in the partnership Charles Henry Townley (apprenticed to F.B. Thomas in 1864, obtained his freedom in 1871) and John William Thomas III (son of J.W. Thomas II, obtained freedom by patrimony in 1877). Both partners were nephews of F.B. Thomas. After the death of F.B. Thomas (1900) the firm continued to be managed by his two nephews and partners until c. 1919, when J.W. Thomas became the sole partner. After his death (1924) the firm was managed by his son until 1941 when the firm closed.

Francis Boone Thomas

Pair of Antique Silver Victorian Pierced Baskets made in 1887

This large business of manufacturing silversmiths, C.S. Harris &amp; Sons Ltd, is said to have been commenced by John Mark Harris, a spoon maker, in 1817.

He moved c. 1831 to 27 Nelson Street, City Road. It would appear that the firm was continued by John Robert Harris (probably J.M. Harris's son), who moved c.1842 to 29 Kirby Street, Hatton Garden (where he is listed from 1843 until 1852 as a silver spoon and fork manufacturer).

The business then passed c. 1852 to Charles Stuart Harris, who is listed from 1854 at 29 Kirby Street as an electro spoon and fork maker, electro plater and gilder, agent for plated wares (1856),  and silversmith. In 1885, he purchased the business of D.J. &amp; C. Houle (manufacturing silversmiths) from Charles Houle and the executors of his brother, Daniel John Houle, retaining their workshops at 24 Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell, EC. C.S. Harris opened additional manufacturing premises c. 1892 at 41 and 42 Hatton Garden, EC.

In 1897, the business was converted into a limited liability company under the style of C.S. Harris and Sons, Ltd. described as: "manufacturing gold and silversmiths; manufacturers of and dealers in gold and silver plate, wire and lace; dealers in gold and silver, diamonds and other precious metals and stones; electroplaters; silverers and jewellers etc", with premises at 41 and 42 Hatton Garden, 28 &amp; 29 Kirby Street, Hatton Garden and 23 and 24 Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell with the directors recorded as Henry Stuart Harris, Walter Stuart Harris, Edwin Stuart Harris, Alfred Stuart Harris and Frederick Stuart Harris. C.S. Harris &amp; Sons Ltd. were also in possession of premises at 13 &amp; 14 Bateman Street, Soho, acquired, probably in December 1897, from Arthur Stuart Harris and Ernst Stuart Harris, trading as Harris brothers. These were maintained until c. 1906.

C.S. Harris &amp; Sons Ltd continued in business until 1933/34, latterly giving up all their premises except those at 41 &amp; 42 Hatton Garden. They were subsequently incorporated into I Freeman &amp; Sons Ltd. manufacturing silversmiths and dealers in antique silver and plated wares of 23 Hatton Garden, EC. Fine makers who also manufactured for top-class London retailers who overstruck their makers mark with their own.

Charles Stuart Harris

Antique Silver Victorian Pierced Dish made in 1898

Antique Silver George III Old Sheffield Plate Basket made in c.1785

The Buck Family of Silversmiths of Limerick &amp; Cork.
Adam Buck is believed to have obtained his freedom from the Dublin Goldsmiths Company in February 1690 - upon payment of a £2.00 fine. It is thought he worked in Dublin, but after being fined for failing to attend meetings at Goldsmiths Hall, he set up his business at Limerick. Assays noted by the Dublin Goldsmith Company for goods received from Adam Buck of Limerick were noted in 1694, 1705 - 1709 and 1712 - 1713.
Adam may have been the son of George Buck, a Burgess of Limerick, who may have also been George Bockendoght, Sheriff of Limerick in 1670, if the same then the Anglicising of the name suggests the family having Flemish or Dutch origins. Adam Buck’s will was proved at Limerick in 1725. He is likely to be the father of Jonathan Buck Sr.
Jonathan Buck Sr. was baptised in Dublin in 1691. Jonathan became a well-established silversmith working in Limerick and was granted the Freedom of the city of Limerick in 1731. The whole family moved to Cork between 1743 and 1755. In 1755 he placed an advertisement which stated he was working out of “Mr Phillips, apothecary, near Peter’s Church, makes and chaces all kinds of silverwork “
He married Faith in 1722 and they had a large family of around 16 children over the next 20 years. Jonathan died at Castle Street, Cork on 23rd October 1762 and Faith, died in Dublin on 24th February 1766, she is thought to have continued the business for a few years after his death.
Amongst these children were one of the eldest, Andrew Buck (c. 1725 - 1795), and Jonathan Buck (1730 - 1786).
Jonathan Buck Jr. (1730 - 1786) followed in his father's footsteps and became a silversmith in Limerick. He married Elizabeth in 1751, at St John’s Limerick and became a Freeman of the city of Limerick in 1762. He also relocated to Cork and became a Member of the Cork Goldsmiths Company in 1768. Premises noted at Batchelor’s Quay, near North Gate in 1769 and Fenn’s Quay in 1787. Buck Jr died at Fenn’s Quay, Cork on the 25th November 1786, he was buried at Christchurch. His wife Elizabeth passed away in 1817. Two of their children, Adam Buck (b. 1759, d. 1833) and Frederick Buck (b. 1771, d. 1840) were miniaturists and portrait painters of excellent reputation.

Jonathan Buck

Antique Silver George II Limerick Pap Boat made in c.1740

The firm was founded in 1848 by Edward James Pairpoint. The original address was 44 Whitcomb Street, Leicester Square but the firm soon moved to 16 Litchfield Street and later to 44 Greek Street.

In 1856, Edward James Pairpoint entered into partnership with George Wood and the firm was renamed Pairpoint &amp; Wood.

The partnership was dissolved in 1850 and E.J. Pairpoint continued the business alone until the closure for bankrupt in 1879.

The firm was then taken by John and Frank Pairpoint, trading as Pairpoint Brothers. The address was 57 King Street, Soho Square, moving to 47 Rupert Street, Haymarket and 80a Dean Street, Soho. Anyway, in 1898 the firm was under the control of the four sons of E.J Pairpoint: Edward John (b. 1848), William Henry (b. 1850), Alfred James (b.1852) and Francis William (b. c. 1859).

In a book written by John Henry Cardwell in 1898, the firm is quoted: "... Pairpoint copies of ancient patterns are dangerously near being indistinguishable from the originals, whilst their new manufactures carry one back to the days when the master silversmiths employed the first artists of the day to assist them in their productions devised in love and fashioned cunningly. The firm is principally known to the trade as manufacturers of large and important works, such as centre pieces, presentation vases and the like. To the amateur of antique silver and Sheffield plate, whether he be in Europe or America, the name of Pairpoint is a household word, and the quantity of antique plate and "Old Sheffield" that has passed through the hands of the firm since the renaissance of 1874 is little short of fabulous..."

In 1904, the firm was under the control of Alfred James Pairpoint (d. 1937), Francis William Pairpoint (d. 1945) and Arthur Walter Pairpoint.

Probably after 1937, the business moved to Phoenix House, 19 Oxford Street.

Pairpoint Brothers

Antique Silver Edward VII Dish Ring made in 1905

A Birmingham silversmith in the early 20th century.

Williams Brothers

Antique Silver Edward VII Dish Ring made in 1908

Michael Plummer was the son of William Plummer. Free of the Clothworkers' Company by patrimony, 1 July 1795 as silversmith 35 Noble Street.

Mark entered as plateworker, 5 October 1791. Address: 47 Gutter Lane. Moved to 35 Noble Street, no date. Heal records him at Gutter Lane, 1791-5.

Michael Plummer

Pair of George III Antique Silver Butter Shells made in 1797

Mark first registered in December, 1789. Address: 55 Red Lion St, Holborn. Second mark 5 Feb 1790.

Allen Dominy

Pair of George III Antique Silver Butter Shells made in 1794

A table dressed for dinner is a magnificent sight and sets the mood for a wonderful occasion. Splendid antique sterling silver centrepiece can set the scene

Antique Dishes

Antique Dishes

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