Important Silversmiths – Garrard & Co
19th Century Victorian Silver monumental cup and cover on a stand, the shaped oval base chased and applied with dolphin's heads emerging from stormy waves, their tails intertwined with flowers and leaves, supporting a wide bowl chased and applied with a spume-like decoration, the domed cover also chased as flowing water topped by an impressive figural finial depicting Neptune standing on a dolphin. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1863 (h), Maker's mark crowned "RG" for R & S Garrard & Co.
Reference Number: A4001
The firm, founded by George Wickes in 1735, was based in Mayfair, London and manufactured silver and jewellery. Robert Garrard joined the firm in 1792 and ten years later he became its sole owner.
After his death in 1818 he was succeeded by his sons Robert Jr., James and Sebastian who took over the management of the workshop. The company expanded very quickly and in 1843 they were appointed Crown Jewellers by Queen Victoria. The company held the title during six consecutive reigns, until 2007, receiving a number of important commissions and producing jewellery and silverware for the Royal Family.
20th Century Edwardian Silver cup and cover, richly gilt, chased with scrolling foliage, flowers and "H" and "J" with love-knots, the central band featuring four panels with protruding figures, dolphins and pendant bells, the cover chased with a similar decoration and openwork finial flanked by female caryatids blowing horns, the upper part with angles holding a shield and a crown above. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1904 (i), Maker's mark SG for R & S Garrard & Co - Sebastian Henry Garrard.
Reference Number: A2750
20th Century Edwardian Silver monumental centrepiece on a stand, formed as Saint George horseback slaughtering the dragon, on a rocky circular base.
Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1907 (m), Maker's mark "SG" for Sebastian Henry Garrard.
Reference Number: A3743
The company endured in the hands of the Garrard family until 1952, when it merged with the Goldsmiths’ and Silversmiths’ Company of London.
Over the years the company realised a great number of dining and tea-set wares still part of the Royal Collection as well as spectacular centrepieces and presentation silver. In 1848 they produced the famous America’s Cup, a beautifully ornate sterling silver ewer in neo-Mannerist style, the oldest sport trophy realised for a yacht race in England.
In 1911, the company was responsible for the making of the crown for Queen Mary’s coronation which subsequently the firm adjusted for the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth.