Important Silversmiths - Nathaniel Mills & Sons
The founder of brand name, Nathaniel Mills, the elder registered the maker's mark at the Birmingham Assay Office in 1803 while being a partner in "Mills and Langston, Jewellers Northwood".
In 1825, he registered his own mark "N.M" within the rectangle and started to produce silverware. He became especially recognizable for his objects of vertu, such as well-constructed silver and gold boxes, card cases, snuff boxes and vinaigrettes.
19th Century Victorian 18k gold snuff box, cartooche shaped, cover , base and body profusely engraved with scrolling foliage, the base with central vignette depicting a ship at sea, the cover cartouche engraved with a crest of a lion holding a flower, the interior cover with Political presentation inscription: Birkenhead Election, 24th Nov 1874 and vote results. Hallmarked English Gold 18 (750), London, year 1851 (Q), Maker's mark for Nathaniel Mills.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A5246
After Nathaniel Mills I's death, the workshop was inherited by his son Nathaniel Mills II in 1840. He was born in 1811 and completed his apprenticeship at the father's company. As a talented innovator, he implemented several techniques to the production, such as stamping, casting and engine-turning. During his father's lifetime, he significantly increased the business and enlarged the premises.
Under his guidance, the firm quickly made its reputation as the most prolific and important boxmaker in Birmingham. The workshop was especially celebrated for its "castle-top" boxes. Such boxes were noted for elaborately chased lids depicting castles, cathedrals, abbeys, stately homes and other landmarks of Britain.
19th Century William IV silver vinaigrette, of rectangular form, richly gilt, both sides featuring a lovely design depicting scrolling foliage and a repeated stylized texture, the top engraved with initials, it opens to reveal the hinged grille. Hallmarked English silver, Maker's mark for Nathaniel Mills.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A3625
19th Century Victorian silver "Castle top" vinaigrette, of rectangular form, richly parcel gilt, the cover depicting the facade of Abbotsford House, an historic country house in the Scottish border, formerly the residence of novelist and poet Walter Scott, sides and base engine-turned, opens to reveal an intricately pierced grill embellished with an engraved scrolling foliage. Comes in its original presentation box.
Hallmarked English silver (925), Birmingham, year 1837 (D), Maker's mark N.M (Nathaniel Mills.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A5034
Nathaniel Mills solid silver and gold boxes with strikingly embossed borders and sides are now exhibited at the Royal Collection Trust Museums, the Metropolitan Museum, the Birmingham Assay Office Museum. They are highly sought-after by sophisticated collectors.
