Edward Barnard & Sons

Edward Barnard & Sons is widely recognised as one of the oldest manufacturing silversmiths in the world, with origins tracing back to around 1680 when Anthony Nelme established a workshop on Ave Maria Lane in London. The business passed to his son Francis Nelme in 1722, and in 1739, it was taken over by Thomas Whipham. Upon Whipham’s death in 1756, his son Thomas Jr partnered with Charles Wright. Following Thomas Jr’s retirement in 1775, Wright continued the firm alone until 1786, when it was amalgamated with the neighbouring workshop of Thomas Chawner and his son Henry Chawner.

Edward Barnard, who had been apprenticed to Wright and later turned over to Chawner, became foreman of the new firm. In 1796, the company brought in engraver John Emes as a partner. After Chawner’s retirement, Emes took control, retaining Barnard as manager. When Emes died in 1808, Edward Barnard entered into partnership with Emes’s widow, Rebecca, and the sleeping partner Henry Chawner. Following Rebecca’s retirement in 1829, Barnard took full control, joined by his sons Edward, John, and William, and began trading as Edward Barnard & Sons.

Known for their refined Neoclassical and revived Rococo designs, Barnards built a strong reputation for ceremonial, ecclesiastical, presentation, sporting, and municipal silverware. Their work reflected a strong commitment to traditional design well into the 20th century, while many competitors shifted toward modern styles. Among their most celebrated creations is the Lily Font, a silver baptismal font commissioned in 1840 and used at Royal christenings since 1841.

To meet growing demand, the firm moved to new premises on Angel Street in 1838, then again to Fetter Lane in 1898. Edward Barnard & Sons was incorporated as a limited company in 1910 and later operated a Birmingham factory between 1914 and 1924. After several relocations, the company settled in Hatton Garden in 1920. It became a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham Ltd in 1977 and moved to Shacklewell Road, Hackney, in 1991.

Despite its longstanding reputation and distinguished clientele, including Rundell & Bridge, Elkington & Co., Garrard & Co., and the Goldsmiths’ Company, the firm ceased trading in 2003. Today, Edward Barnard & Sons is remembered for over three centuries of masterful craftsmanship, with its silverware found in major museum collections and private hands around the world.