Although little information exists about London silversmith Charles Stuart Harris, his exquisite sterling silverware and serveware — the ornate and distinctive bowls encircled with chased scrolling leaf decoration, the platters featuring Vitruvian scrollwork, the centerpieces with their leaf-capped and scrolled arms he designed as well as those produced by the family firm C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. — is a testament to an age of refinement and elegance.
Harris was from a family of silversmiths active in London in the mid-19th century. In 1817, the firm now known as C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. was founded by John Mark Harris, a spoon maker. His son, John Robert Harris, took over the family company in 1843, listed as a silver spoon and fork manufacturer.
Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware, as well as tea sets, had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice.
Around 1852, the business passed to Charles Harris, who was registered as an electroplater and gilder, a maker of spoons and forks as well as a silversmith. At first, under Harris, the family firm continued as a manufacturer of spoons and forks; however, they later expanded into making cutlery and flatware.
By 1881, the company was formally registered under Harris’s name — Charles Stuart Harris — and it earned a reputation for its utilitarian flatware. In 1897, when the business became known as C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd., they were listed as manufacturers and dealers in gold and silverplate. By this time, the company produced additional furnishings and objects such as serveware, candle holders and tea caddies. They also retailed in wire and lace, silver and gold diamond jewelry and watches.
It is said that by 1900, C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. sent more silver to London’s Assay Office to be hallmarked than any other silversmith company. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, Harris retired. In 1933, C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. merged with I. Freeman and Company.
Today, items produced by Harris remain highly coveted by collectors of Victorian and Edwardian sterling silverware and decorative objects.
Find antique Charles Stuart Harris silver serveware, decorative objects and more collectibles on 1stDibs.
English Edwardian Neoclassical Sterling Silver Trophy Bowl, 1901
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Neoclassical sterling silver trophy bowl. Made by Charles Stuart Harris in London in 1901. Round and girdled with leaf-capped flying scroll handles; raised foot. Enough roo...
Sterling Silver
Large Oval Antique English Sterling Silver Centrepiece or Dish, London, 1908
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1908 by Charles Stuart Harris, this stunning and large, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Centrepiece, is oval in shape, and features ornate chased decoratio...
Sterling Silver
Victorian sterling silver basket made in London in 1900
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1900 by Charles Stuart Harris, this handsome, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, features shaped reed borders and a reed detailed swing handle. The ba...
Sterling Silver
Stunning Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver Basket or Centrepiece, London 1905
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1905 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, is wonderfully decor...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Epergne / Centrepiece / Vase 1911
Located in London, GB
An Antique solid Silver Epergne Centrepiece with a large oval central basket supporting a tall trumpet shaped vase on top of an impressive concave shaped stand. The central stand has...
Sterling Silver
Vintage 5" Buccellati Sterling Silver Footed Bowl
By Buccellati
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed, designer Italian silver bowl. By Gianmaria Buccellati. In sterling silver. With 4 applied feet and a scalloped body and rim. Fully marked to the base. Simply wond...
Sterling Silver
Ventrella Bronze Centrepiece, Italy 1970s
By Ventrella
Located in Naples, IT
Large round brass and bronze centrepiece series 'Labirinti', signed Ventrella GioiellIeri in Naples.
Bronze
1920s Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique George V English sterling silver presentation bowl; an addition to our ornamental silver...
Sterling Silver
$1,348Sale Price|25% Off
H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 2.5 in
EDWARDIAN 1909 Guilloche Enameled Tripod Basket Vase In .925 Sterling Silver
By Eric Kellerman
Located in Miami, FL
A German enameled tripod vase retailed by Erich Kellerman. This is a fantastic three-legged round vase, created in the city of Pforzheim Germany, back in the 1900's. The piece shows...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Silver Centrepiece with Original Cut Crystal Liner, Austria, 1900-1910
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large silver Art Nouveau period centrepiece/jardinière with original cut crystal glass liner, Austria, 1900-1910. This wonderful and unique centrepiece has an oval form with elaborat...
Crystal, Silver
$618
H 7.88 in W 6.3 in D 3.94 in
Antique Silver-Plated Scalloped Basket with Swing Handle, Early 20th Century
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver-Plated Scalloped Basket with Swing Handle, Early 20th Century Elevate your interior with this antique silver-plated decorative basket, a beautifully crafted early 20th...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,705
H 2.45 in W 5.83 in D 6.23 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Red Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese large and heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy piece of glass features an as...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Bamboos Oval Cup or Center Piece
Located in Paris, FR
Cup or center piece bamboos oval with polished stainless steel cup structure on gold-plated 24-karat on stainless steel base.
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
$225
H 6.5 in W 12.5 in D 5.5 in
Antique English Victorian Silver Plated Trophy Cup Small Candy Dish Fruit Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Victorian Silver Plated Urn Twin Handle Cup Small Fruit Bowl Candy Dish. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 6.5" H x 12.5" W x 5.5" D.
Silver Plate
$494Sale Price|25% Off
H 7.76 in W 5.91 in D 1.58 in
Antique Sterling Silver Bowl Small Fruit Basket Relief Pictori Decorative Object
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver bowl small fruit basket with relief, openwork decorative object hallmarked sterling silver oval bon bon dish bowl intricate cut out ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,705
H 2.29 in W 7.41 in D 5.6 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Red Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish or Ashtray
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large and heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, hea...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 5.91 in Dm 8.27 in
Victorian sterling silver bowl made in London in 1888 by Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1888 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Antique, Victorian Sterling Silver Bowl, is ornately decorated and features a gilt interior and engraved crest...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 8.08 in Dm 10.44 in
Antique 19thC Victorian Solid Silver Large Monteith Bowl, Charles Harris c.1896
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th Century Victorian solid silver large monteith bowl, raised on a circular foot with a embossed body and a detachable crown. The piece showcases fine detailed and cri...
Britannia Standard Silver
Sold
H 4.34 in W 9.45 in D 7.49 in
Victorian sterling silver cake basket made in London in 1900 by C. S. Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1900 by Charles Stuart Harris, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, features pierced and engraved decoration, and reed borders around the rim and ha...
Sterling Silver
Antique English Sterling Silver Basket London 1888 Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Antique English sterling silver basket London 1888 Charles Stuart Harris. The sweet basket of oval form, with pierced and embossed decoration, with an app...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 7.49 in W 14.97 in D 10.24 in
Harp Handled Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver Bowl, London 1903 C. S. Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1903 by Charles Stuart Harris, this handsome, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Bowl, stands on a pedestal base, and features harp handles and reed detailing...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Monteith Bowl - London 1896
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1896 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Antique Sterling Silver Bowl, features a shaped rim, and sunken and swirled fluting to the body. The bowl me...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 8.67 in Dm 13.98 in
Large Monteith Style Antique Sterling Silver Bowl by C. S. Harris, London, 1901
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1901 by Charles Stuart Harris, this very attractive, Victorian, antique sterling silver bowl, features a Monteith style rim, lion mask drop ring handles, and ...
Sterling Silver
Rococo Revival Antique Sterling Silver Bowl by C. S. Harris London, 1898
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1898 by Charles Stuart Harris, this impressive, Victorian, antique sterling silver bowl, stands on a pedestal foot with applied silver decoration featuring a ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5.32 in W 14.97 in D 10.04 in
Victorian Basket Weave Sterling Silver Basket by Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London, 1898 by Charles Stuart Harris, this stylish, Victorian, antique, sterling silver basket, stands on cast naturalistic feet, and features a basket weave finish to...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Set 3 Victorian Antique Silver Baskets / Fruit Baskets London, 1897-1878
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, GB
A set of 3 impressive Antique Victorian Silver Baskets - one of a larger size and the other two a matched pair. All three have the same traditional George III neoclassical Adams styl...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl by Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver presentation bowl made by Charles Stuart Harris; an addition to our presentation silverware collection This fine ant...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Edwardian English Sterling Silver Presentation Dishes
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine pair of antique Edwardian English sterling silver presentation dishes; part of our presentation silverware collection This fine pair of antique Edwardian sterling silver pr...
Silver, Sterling Silver