About Mappin & Webb Antiques And Illustrated Timeline

The company expanded internationally and received royal commissions from all over the world. Monarchs were so impressed by the excellence of the goods produced that royal warrants followed. 

The name of this enterprise became synonymous with excellence and their wares symbolised the best of British.

We have included an illustrated timeline at the bottom of this page.

The Royal Cutlery & Silver Plate works were situated on Norfolk Street, Sheffield. The melting furnaces, rolling mills, hammer shops, steam-stamp shops, grinding wheels and forging hearths ensured that the firm could control the whole manufacturing process. The cutlery / flatware would be finished by  silversmiths and cutlers, who would add intricate engravings, chasing and fluting to all manner of tableware and accessories. Buffing of cutlery was also done by using machinery. This was especially hard and dangerous work, as the spoons or items which required buffing would get very hot and the workers, who were usually women, would bind their fingers so they could bear the intense heat. If the bindings came away from the fingers and got caught in the machinery this could cause serious or fatal accidents. 

Items that required gold or silver plating would be sent to the plating room which contained some of the largest cast-iron vats in the world.

Joseph, Jonathan’s son, followed him into the business. Joseph’s grandson, also called Joseph, did so too. But it was his four great grandsons who were responsible for the huge growth of this enterprise in the mid nineteenth century. These gentlemen incorporated the business which became known as Mappin Brothers Ltd. 

In 1849 the first London based showroom opened on 17 Fore Street and shortly afterwards the eldest brother was knighted and became Sir William Mappin and as the business grew the brothers began to take a different path.

Image From 1902 Catalogue 

Sir William Mappin left the firm in 1859 and became the senior partner at the Thomas Turton & Sons’ steel mill and gave his share of the company to the other three brothers. In 1860, the youngest brother broke away from Mappin Brothers and started his own business Mappin & Company.  In 1862 he was joined by his brother in law George Webb. George Webb’s name was included in the company name from 1864, it was only in 1868 that Mappin and Webb & Co. was formed. Unfortunately, George Webb died in 1868. The name of Mappin & Webb Ltd. was recorded in 1889.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S GOLDEN JUBILEE NECKLACE 

In order to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, a committee of ladies was formed to raise money for a commemorative statue of Victoria’s late husband, Prince Albert. The committee was so successful that they raised far more than was required. The committee and Queen Victoria agreed that the excess funds should go to the St. Katherine’s Fund for Nurses. However, some members of the committee decided that a portion of the funds should be used to purchase a necklace for the Queen. 

Mappin & Webb were the jewellers chosen to create this celebrated piece.

THE ILLUSTRATED SPORTING AND DRAMATIC NEWS 1890

The advertisement shows some of the huge range of -

MAPPIN & WEBB'S ARTISTIC AND USEFUL XMAS PRESENTS

Top row - a cased silver plated brush set, a clock and compass set framed by horseshoes with crossed hunting crops set atop and a sewing set.

Next row - leather bound book, a cased grooming set, a sewing set, and a barometer. 

Next row - wallets, a cased scissor set, a cheroot case and purses.

Second from bottom row - a leather purse with clock, hip flasks, enamelled cases in a presentation box.

Bottom row - opera glasses, a vesta case, candlesticks, a boxed brush set

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS 1892

MAPPIN & WEBB'S

XMAS GIFTS

IN

STERLING SILVER &

PRINCE'S PLATE

Prince's plate involved a triple layer of silver on the firm's silver plated wares. This process ensured that their Prince's plate pieces had a much more durable finish that was less prone to wear.

The advertisement above shows a wide variety of elegant cased condiment, serving and flatware sets.

Mappin & Webb received its first Royal Warrant as silversmiths to Queen Victoria in 1897.

They have continued to hold Royal Warrants as Silversmiths to each of the five subsequent monarchs.

QUEEN VICTORIA WEARING THE GOLDEN JUBILEE NECKLACE

QUEEN ELIZABETH II WEARING THE GOLDEN JUBILEE NECKLACE

Queen Victoria granted a royal warrant to Mappin & Webb in 1897, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  

 MAPPIN & WEBB QUEEN VICTORIA STREET LONDON SHOWROOM

 MAPPIN & WEBB 1901 ADVERTISEMENT

Mappin & Webb's PRESENTATION STERLING SILVER PLATE

Chairman J NEWTON MAPPIN

SELECTIONS SENT ON APPROVAL

SPECIAL DESIGNS & ESTIMATES FREE

The public supplied by Actual Makers at Manufacturers' 

Wholesale Cash Prices, 

saving all intermediate Profits.

WEST END 158 - 162 OXFORD STREET.

CITY - 2 QUEEN VICTORIA ST. LONDON EC.

SHEFFIELD - The Royal Works.

MANCHESTER - St. Anne's Square.

JOHANNESBURG - Von Brandis Square.

 MAPPIN & WEBB JEWELLERY DESIGNS

In the 1900s the Siamese royal family commissioned Mappin & Webb to make pieces for them. These ranged from jewellery for young princes, to senior members of the royal family. The Queen of Siam was so impressed with this work she commissioned Mappin & Webb to create Art Deco jewellery in the 1920s.

Mappin & Webb are one of the most prestigious British jewellers & command huge prices for their jewellery and luxurious accessories.

MAPPIN & WEBB STAFF PACKING CUTLERY

© Crown Copyright

The workers shown above are fulfilling an order placed by the Indian government. The cutlery is in the Louis style, referring to the style of the French Kings.

Mappin & Webb jewellery, cutlery & accessories are quite simply fit for a king or a queen.

The case still has the original hanging ring, as it would have been worn on an Albert chain. It is superbly made. Each side has a bold engine turned linear design. 

BIRMINGHAM 1969