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.
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
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
$1,258Sale Price|30% 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
$531Sale Price|20% 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
$624
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
$350
H 19.5 in W 9 in D 10 in
Antique English Victorian Repousse Silver Plated Cherub Vase Brides Basket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Victorian Repousse Silver Plated Cherub Vase Brides Basket. Item features ornate cherub scrollwork and floral bouquet repousse, "MB" monogr...
Silver Plate
Antique Tiffany Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and curved; rim lobed and turned-down with applied scrolls, scallop shells, and flowers. Leafing sc...
Sterling Silver
21th Century Italian Sterling Silver decorative Vase or Bowl
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sack-shaped sterling silver vase or bowl. The vase was completely handmade starting from the sterling silver plate, skilfully modeled until it took the shape of a sack. The body wa...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Antique Silver Gilt Basket, Early 20th Century
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Braintree, GB
Tiffany & Co antique silver-gilt basket for treats or sweets, in woven style with handle. Designer: Tiffany & Co Made in Italy, early 20th century Fully hallmarked. Dimensions ...
Silver
Victorian Silver Figural Plated Brides Basket
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Figural Victorian Silver Plated Brides Basket from the late 19th Century. Ornate design with doves nesting around their e...
Silver Plate
$295
H 12 in W 12.25 in D 7.5 in
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Reticulated Scrollwork Bread Basket by Forbes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Reticulated Scrollwork Bread Basket by Forbes Silver Plate Co. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 12" H x 12.25" W x 7.5" D.
Silver Plate
Antique Sterling Silver Bowls / Centrepieces
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, large pair of antique George V English sterling silver bowls / centrepieces in the Art Nouveau style, an addition to our presentation silverware collection. These magnificent and large antique George V English sterling silver bowls/centrepieces have a compressed circular form onto a knopped pedestal and domed circular foot. The plain body of each piece is encircled with an impressive band of applied and chased olive leaf festoon decoration consisting of overlapping leaf designs with a bead motif to subdivision. Both sides of each piece is further ornamented with exceptional and large applied vacant cartouche bordered with a ribbon tied oak and olive branch, in addition to a scrolling and leaf motif to the upper portion. The upper portions of these concaved cartouches are subtly elevated and joined to the moulded decoration to the shaped rim. These antique silver bowls are fitted with impressive and large Art Nouveau style scrolling handles with plain plateaued upper portions and subtle thumbpieces. The knop to the pedestal is encircled with an impressive chased band of oak leaf and acorn decoration accented with a tied ribbon design. These fine examples of Art Nouveau silverware...
Sterling Silver
$2,700
H 12.5 in W 10.25 in D 0.5 in
Antique English Edwardian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Picture Frame, 1905
By William Aitken
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Aitken in Birmingham in 1905. Rectangular window in shaped scrolled surround mounted to stained wood with hinged ...
Sterling Silver
$686
H 6.3 in W 9.85 in D 2.76 in
Antique Silver-Plated Pierced Fruit Basket Rope-Twist Handle Home Decorative
Located in Wembley, GB
A beautifully crafted antique silver-plated fruit basket, featuring an elegant pierced gallery rim and a finely detailed rope-twist swing handle. The oval form rests securely on a raised foot, offering both functionality and refined presentation. This versatile serving piece is ideal for displaying fresh fruit, decorative arrangements, or as a standalone table centerpiece. The bright silver surface, enhanced by intricate cutwork and decorative borders, reflects the craftsmanship of late 19th to early 20th century silver plate. Whether used for entertaining or collected as a decorative object, this silver-plated serving basket adds timeless elegance to any dining table, sideboard, or antique silver collection. Antique silver-plated fruit basket Pierced gallery rim with rope-twist handle Oval form with raised foot Ideal as a serving basket or table centerpiece Decorative antique silver tableware...
Silver, Sterling 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 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