Antique and collectible history

The History Of Victor Mayer Jewellery And The Fabergé Connection

Victor Mayer was born in 1857. His portrait is courtesy of Victor Mayer GmbH & Co KG Pforzheim. He trained as a steel engraver and also as an artist. In 1877 he commenced his studies at the Grand Ducal School of Arts and Crafts. It was during his studies at this institution he became known as a highly talented draughtsman. Whilst studying in Vienna he also worked as an engraver to pay for his tuition. His training involved perfecting the art of guilloche engraving and enamelling. He was to become one of the finest jewellers of his time.

The Bohemian Silver Trade And Czechoslovakian Silver Compact Mirrors

Before WWII Czechoslovakia was made up of Bohemia and Moravia in the west and Slovakia in the east. At the turn of the 14th century trade of Bohemian silver to Venice was already well established. Archaeological finds from Bohemia and Moravia lend weight to the theories that that silver bullion from this area was exported to Italy. In return the Italians exported glass to Bohemia.

A Complete History Of Whiting & Davis

This post will give you answers to these questions:

1. When was the Whiting & Davis Manufacturing Company formed?

2. Who formed the company?

3. When was the making of mesh purses and accessories automated?

4. Who invented these machines?

5. What are Dresden / Baby Fine mesh purses?

This post includes:

Patent numbers of Whiting & Davis machines and jewellery designs.

Patent drawings & descriptions of Whiting & Davis Manufacturing Company machines and designs and also of those owned by Wade Davis & Company, the company that preceded them.

A Brief History Of Vesta Cases And Match Safes

This post will answer these questions:

What are vesta cases?

What are match safes?

Why are they called vesta cases?

What are vestas?

How can I date a precious metal vesta case?

How can I spot a fake?

Renzo Cassetti Italian Silver Powder Compact 1950s

Renzo Cassetti Gruppo Cassetti The Ponte Vecchio And The Vasari Corridor

This post is paying tribute to this wonderful goldsmith, the Cassetti family, Benvenuto Cellini and the superb art and architecture of Italy. According to the Cassetti literature this exciting atelier was founded in 1929. Renzo Cassetti was inspired by the work of the master goldsmith, sculptor and artist Benvenuto Cellini (November 3 1500 - February 13 1571).

The History Of Boots The Chemist & Boots Makeup Compacts

John Boot (1815 – 1860) was the founder of Boots The Chemist. He was born in Radcliffe on Trent and studied at Tiffin School in Kingston. He became a farm worker but his poor health did not give him the great strength and resilience needed for this type of employment. He moved to Hockley Village. Unable to afford doctors’ fees his mother made herbal remedies for him. She taught him how to make remedies too. John married Mary Wills and they had two children Jesse and Jane. John died in 1860. On his death Mary continued the business they had founded - M & J Boot Herbalists.

Asprey Jewellery Store New Bond Street London

Asprey Silver Powder Compacts & Cases With An Illustrated Historical Timeline

Asprey International Limited is one of Britain’s most well known luxury jewellery chains. The firm has supplied crowns, sceptres and coronets to royal families all over the world. Splendid jewellery, accessories and decorations for the home are sought after by those who wish to acquire items made to uncompromisingly high standards. Asprey was founded in 1781 by William Asprey. The firm’s flagship store has been located at the current address New Bond Street, Mayfair, since 1847.

Silversmith Henry Clifford Davis And The Firm's Sterling Silver Guilloche Enamel Makeup Compacts

Some of our favourite sterling silver and guilloche enamel powder compacts are vanities crafted by Henry Clifford Davis. The wide variety of lid decorations and exquisitely beautiful compositions ensure these beautiful accessories pride of place in any collection.

Hilliard & Thomason Silversmiths History And Heritage

John Hilliard (1816 - 1871) established his business in 1837 in Birmingham, England. Three years later John Thomason Jr. (1811- 1892) joined the firm & they began to trade as Hilliard & Thomason. John Hilliard's father was James Hilliard, who was a lifelong silversmith. Hilliard & Thomason were known for making small silver items such as snuff boxes, wine labels, vinaigrettes and exquisite mother of pearl inlaid knives. Hilliard & Thomason nutmeg graters are especially sought-after today.

S Blanckensee & Son Ltd. Jewellers & Silversmiths

Solomon Blanckensee was born in 1801 in Filehne, Wielen, Czarnków-Trzcianka County, Poland. His father was Levin Blanckensee & his mother Julia Joseph. He had three brothers, Issac, Myer & Moses. By the time of his death in 1864 he was a highly successful jeweller. He died in the county of Warwickshire, Great Britain.
In 1826, Solomon Blanckensee founded a jewellery concern based in Bristol, England. The business proved to be highly successful and as time went by it acquired a number of other prominent jewellery firms. The size of the business and quality of the products meant that it had few others considered to be its equals.

Guilloche Engraving & Silver Guilloche Enamel Powder Compacts

The first skilled artisans said to have decorated fine jewellery with guilloche enamel were working in the mid 18th century. The methods and tools that were used have changed very little over the centuries. The patterns favoured then were still being reproduced in the 1950s. Guilloche is a decorative technique in which artisans use lathes, often referred to as rose engines. These machines have been in existence for hundreds of years and even those used by jewellers in the twenty first century were made as long ago as the middle of the nineteenth century.

S J Rose & Sons Ltd History And Heritage

The photograph above shows the magnificent facade of the premises occupied by the esteemed gold and silversmith S J Rose. The huge windows were essential to allow the maximum natural light into the building. The craftsmen would have been seated at work benches close to the windows, so that their exquisite creations could be crafted with as much attention to detail as possible.

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Antique and collectible history