Antique and collectible history

William Devenport Edwardian Manicure Set 1907

Silversmith William Devenport & Son A Brief History

The origins of the esteemed maker known as William Devenport began in early Victorian England in 1837. The firm was founded by Joseph Whitton after whom it was named. When William Devenport became a partner it was styled as Whitton & Devenport. Later on this jewellery concern was known as William Devenport and when his son joined the firm, William restyled the business name to William Devenport & Son.
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A Brief History Of A Fattorini Manufacturing Jeweller Gold And Silversmith

A Brief History Of A Fattorini Manufacturing Jeweller Gold And Silversmith

The firm was founded in 1827 by Antonio Fattorini (1797 - 1860). This remarkable company is still in business at the time of writing this post. 

In 1829 the firm was listed as a jeweller in northern England. The exact location was 18 Bazaar, Central Market, Leeds, Yorkshire. This company of manufacturing jewellers was also owned retail premises.

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Fully Hallmarked 15 Carat Gold Antique Locket Necklace

Goldsmiths Sheldon Brothers And Their Antique Gold Lockets

Sheldon Brothers began trading in 1881. The firm operated from buildings located in the heart of the London & Birmingham Jewellery Quarters. In the Victorian era their business premises were listed as 6 Vyse Street, Birmingham and 65 Hatton Garden, London, EC. 

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Crisford & Norris Patented Powder Compact Design

Crisford & Norris History, Patent Drawings And Patents

This firm of manufacturing silversmiths was active from 1896 - 1959, when it was acquired by Ward Brothers (Birmingham) Ltd. The business premises of Harold Crisford & William Clement Norris were located at 117-118 Vyse Street in the heart of the Birmingham jewellery quarter. The company is noted for its high quality luxury pieces which include babies rattles, bookmarks, boxes, button hooks, card cases, powder compacts, match box holders, napkin rings, pepperettes, shoe horns, spoons, stamp cases and trophy cups.

 

 

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Dennison Watch Case Company Vanity Box Patent

A Brief History Of Vogue Vanities And The Dennison Watch Case Company

We found patents and entries in The Chemist And Druggist trade journal which help to explain a timeline of this business. These sources also provide the link between Vogue Vanities and the Dennison Watch Case Company.
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Robert Pringle & Sons Manufacturing Jewellers And Goldsmiths

Robert Pringle & Sons Manufacturing Jewellers And Goldsmiths

The enchanting illustration above shows the industrious nature of the Pringle family. At first glance we see a double fronted manufacturing premises fitted out with an elegant showroom on the ground floor. The signage reads as follows 42 ROBERT PRINGLE & SONS 40. The impressive facade only gives us a glimpse of the extent of the premises. The next two buildings on the right (numbers 38 and 36 were also owned by the firm. 
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Damascene Compact Mirrors And Vanity Sets And Shinto Symbolism

Damascene Compact Mirrors And Vanity Sets And Shinto Symbolism

This post is dedicated to wonderful vintage Japanese vanities which are ornamented with deeply symbolic Shinto imagery. 

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Japanese Mother Of Pearl Vanity Set

Japanese Ama Divers & The Vanities Which Resulted From Their Work

Set atop the mother of pearl lid is a person pulling a rickshaw. One occupant of the rickshaw is holding a parasol. This scene depicted on the lid is possibly that of a bride and groom. Rickshaws are still used in Shinto weddings. Both the bride and groom are taken by this form of transport to the shrine. Japanese wedding ceremonies are usually attended by a small group of close family members who will walk to the shrine. Traditional Shinto weddings would often take place at a shrine which might be in the home town.

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Richard Hudnut Compacts & Heritage Part One

Richard Hudnut Compacts & Heritage Part One

Richard Hudnut was eighteen years old when he began working for his father. He spent seven years learning every aspect of the business. Both his father, Alexander and Richard visited Europe to study how the Europeans, most particularly the French, conducted their business affairs. 
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Patent-For-Majestic-Majestry-Antique-Powder-Compact

Majestic Brand Compact Mirrors Patents & History

Many collectors of vintage powder compacts and handbags will recognise the brand names Majestic & Majestry. Nathan Kasdan was the founder of the firm who owned these brand names. This company was known as the Majestic Metal Specialities Company of New York. Kasdan was a highly skilled metal worker who was born in Russia in 1889. Kasdan emigrated to America and entered the workforce as a metal worker just before the Russian Revolution. 
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International Silver Co

Watrous Manufacturing Co. The Twinette Vanity Case And The International Silver Company

The International Silver Company operated from 1898–1983. The company was also styled as ISC. The company was formed Meriden, Connecticut.

At one time this business was the largest company in the world specialising in the production of silverware.

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William Colgate Colgate & Co. U.S.A.

Colgate History Patents And Illustrated Timeline

In 1806 William Colgate founded his business in New York. The warehouse premises were located at 6 Dutch Street, NY. The firm was involved in the manufacturing of soap and candles. It may seem a little strange to us but their range of soap included brown soap, as well as pale coloured soap. They also offered fancy soaps which were fashioned into unusual shapes.  

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