Estimate

260 - 300

Session 2

23 November 2022

Hammer Price

Description

English sterling silver
Maker Thomas BRADBURY & Sons, of scalloped shape and gadrooned border resting on three claw and ball feet, engraved in the centre with chimeric dragon
Hallmarks: Lion passant, crown for Sheffield, date letter a for 1819, master silversmith

Diam.: 15,5 cm
191 g

Category

Silver

Additional Information

THOMAS BRADBURY & SONS was a goldsmiths company founded in SHEFFIELD in 1832, from an existing pre-1773 firm, ceasing activity in 1943.
In its origin can be found the goldsmith FENTON, CRESWICK & Co, a society involving Matthew FENTON (apprentice with Thomas LAW), Richard CRESWICK and William WATSON. Active in their role as Sheffield goldsmiths, they will be counted amongst the first to register their mark at Sheffield's Assay Office in 1773.
In 1789 FENTON abandons the company being replaced by Edward OAKES, hence forcing a name change to FENTON, CRESWICK, OAKES & Co. In 1795 the society is dissolved, although the firm continues trading under the name WATSON & Co, having as partners Thomas WATSON, James FENTON and Thomas BRADBURY I, (a former company apprentice).
Later, Thomas BRADBURY II, Thomas BRADBURY I's son, and William WATSON, Thomas WATSON's nephew, will also become partners.
William WATSON retires in 1831, the company being retaken by Thomas BRADBURY I and II, under the name Thomas BRADBURY & Son. The firm is then registered at Arundel Street, Sheffield, with a showroom in London at 12 Gough Street, near Fleet Street.
In 1855 it assumes the denomination Thomas BRADBURY & Sons, being owned by Joseph and Edward BRADBURY, both sons of Thomas BRADBURY II.
In 1877, it is managed by Thomas BRADBURY III, Joseph BRADBURY's brother and by John Sutherland HENDERSON.
The society is dissolved in 1888 but the company is once again retaken by Walton Turner BRADBURY, Joseph BRADBURY Jr and Frederick BRADBURY, Joseph BRADBURY Sr's sons, Frederick BRADBURY being the author of the well-known book "A History of Old Sheffield Plate".
The company becomes a Limited Responsibility Society in 1905, under the name Thomas BRADBURY & Sons Ltd.
In 1943 both the matrixes and the machinery are acquired by goldsmiths ATKIN BROTHERS, hence ceasing the firms activity.
The Thomas BRADBURY & Sons catalogues are kept at the City of Sheffield Archives and in the Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust of the National Museum of American History in Washington.

MUSEUMS, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND LISTED OBJECTS
• VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON, Wine jug, silver, Sheffield, 1857-1858.
• VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON, Bowl, silver, Sheffield, 1934-1935.