Hukin and Heath On Sale

Famous for their pure silver and electroplated furnishings and objects, Hukin & Heath is known all over the world. Collectors of the British manufacturer’s alluring decorative objects and other wares are quite familiar with the exceptional quality associated with the brand as well as with Hukin & Heath’s distinctive trademark, which features the initials "H & H," paired with the form of an eagle taking flight. 

Silversmiths Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath established the firm in Birmingham in 1855. The company didn't register its silver mark until 1879 but had already erected a number of showrooms in London by that time. From sterling silver oil lamps to jugs and other vessels, the firm produced an array of elegant but useful items to meet just about any need in the home. Aficionados probably know the company primarily for its electroplated replications of Persian and Japanese goods.

The firm saw enough success to keep them in business even during periods of economic strain. Hukin & Heath’s good fortune skyrocketed in 1878, when they entered into collaboration with notable British designer and design theorist Dr. Christopher Dresser — recognized as one of the key figures in the Art Nouveau style, which, in its sinuous lines and flamboyant curves inspired by the natural world reflected a desire for freedom from the stuffy social and artistic strictures of the Victorian era. Dresser’s comely serveware and other items in electroplated nickel silver typically featured a reproduction of his signature alongside the manufacturer’s maker’s mark.

The company registered a number of Dresser’s designs with the H & H trademark in that timeframe. After they parted ways around 1881, Hukin & Heath continued to produce Dresser's designs. Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s design books containing his creations were destroyed before the firm closed permanently in 1953.

Find antique Hukin & Heath Sheffield silverplate, lighting and decorative objects.

Your dining room table is a place where stories are shared and personalities shine — why not treat yourself and your guests to the finest antique and vintage glass, silver, ceramics and serveware for your meals?

Just like the people who sit around your table, your serveware has its own stories and will help you create new memories with your friends and loved ones. From ceramic pottery to glass vases, set your table with serving pieces that add even more personality, color and texture to your dining experience.

Invite serveware from around the world to join your table settings. For special occasions, dress up your plates with a striking Imari charger from 19th-century Japan or incorporate Richard Ginori’s Italian porcelain plates into your dining experience. Celebrate the English ritual of afternoon tea with a Japanese tea set and an antique Victorian kettle. No matter how big or small your dining area is, there is room for the stories of many cultures and varied histories, and there are plenty of ways to add pizzazz to your meals.

Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is more durable than ceramic because it is denser. The latter is ideal for statement pieces — your tall mid-century modern ceramic vase is a guaranteed conversation starter. And while your earthenware or stoneware is maybe better suited to everyday lunches as opposed to the fine bone china you’ve reserved for a holiday meal, handcrafted studio pottery coffee mugs can still be a rich expression of your personal style.

“My motto is ‘Have fun with it,’” says author and celebrated hostess Stephanie Booth Shafran. “It’s yin and yang, high and low, Crate & Barrel with Christofle silver. I like to mix it up — sometimes in the dining room, sometimes on the kitchen banquette, sometimes in the loggia. It transports your guests and makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed.”

Introduce elegance at supper with silver, such as a platter from celebrated Massachusetts silversmith manufacturer Reed and Barton or a regal copper-finish flatware set designed by International Silver Company, another New England company that was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898. By then, Meriden had already earned the nickname “Silver City” for its position as a major hub of silver manufacturing.

At the bar, try a vintage wine cooler to keep bottles cool before serving or an Art Deco decanter and whiskey set for after-dinner drinks — there are many possibilities and no wrong answers for tableware, barware and serveware. Explore an expansive collection of antique and vintage glass, ceramics, silver and serveware today on 1stDibs.