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.
Pair of Victorian sterling silver vases made in London in 1897 by C. S. Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1897 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive pair of Antique Sterling Silver Vases, feature chased decoration to the bodies and reed details. Each vase me...
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Victorian Cranberry Glass Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Victorian cranberry colored glass vases with gilt and floral trim with scalloped top. (PRICED AS PAIR) Vintage condition
Glass
Victorian Pair of Sterling Silver-Mounted Cut Crystal Vases
Located in New York, NY
Victorian pair of sterling silver-mounted cut crystal vases, England, circa 1895. Each heavy vase stands 7" high x 3 1/4" diameter at widest point. Crystal "twists" near the base of ...
Silver
King, Sterling Silver Partially Gilt Vase, Made in Italy
By Ganci Argenterie
Located in Milano, IT
Sterling silver partially gilt vase - Made in Italy - ag/925/g 4230 Completely crafted in our workshop in Milano Embossing, Chisel, Casting and Plating: top quality skills are used...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Victorian Porcelain Mantel Vases
Located in Pasadena, CA
Showcase your flowers in our pair of intricately decorated Victorian porcelain mantel vases. They are meticulously adorned with 3 dimensional flowers, leaves and beaded accents and r...
Porcelain
Pair of Ceramic Vases Made in Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two large ceramic vases made in Belgium. Measures: Height 58 cm. Diameter 16 cm.
Ceramic
Victorian Sterling Silver Posy Holder by Alexander MacRae, 1874
By Alexander MacRae
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver posy holder; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver posy holder has a conical shaped form onto three legs. The surface of the holder has a frosted finish and is embellished with bright cut engraved Greek Key fret band ornamentation in addition to stylized leaf motifs. The body is further ornamented with an applied knop encircled with bead ornamentation flanked with a scalloped border and collet set cabochon turquoises. The upper portion of this impressive example of Victorian silverware is encompassed with a protruding undulating band accented with further collet set turquoise alternating with a swagged chain articulating from ring loops. The upper rim is embellished with a large applied bead decorated border. The vessel terminates with a bright cut engraved layered leaf texture to an applied ball motif. This impressive holder is supported by three hinged legs, conjoined with a silver chain. This antique posey holder...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Vase by Elkington & Co (1887)
By Frederick Elkington
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver vase with military interest (Durham Light Infantry); an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This fine antique Victorian sterling silver vase has a tapering cylindrical form to a domed circular spreading foot. The upper and lower portions of the body of the vase are embellished with embossed and chased stylized scrolling leaf and bead decoration in a swirl design. The body is further ornamented with a band of six cartouches amidst a shaped border accented with a leaf motif between each; four of the cartouches remain vacant. To one side there is a contemporary bright cut engraved crest of the Durham Light Infantry amidst the inscription ‘Presented to Officers, 3rd Bn, The Durham Light Infantry’, with the presentation inscription ‘Officers Race, won by, Lieut H J Sowerby, 1887’ to the other side. The upper rim of this impressive vase is encircled with an applied moulded border to the rim. The vase retains the original gilt interior. In 1758 General John Lambton of County Durham first raised the 68th Regiment of Foot as part of the British Army. This later amalgamated with another regiment to become The Durham Light Infantry in 1881. Condition This antique Victorian vase...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of quality antique Victorian Doulton vases
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair of quality antique Victorian Doulton vases having a quality pair of Doulton shaped vases with wonderful blue and gold colours to the neck of the vases, fabulous embossed flowers...
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Victorian Decalomania Decorative Vase, London
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exceptional example of early 19th-century English glass artistry, this Victorian decalomania vase was made in London and exemplifies the innovative decorative techniques of the pe...
Glass, Blown Glass
Pair of antique Victorian quality cranberry vases
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair of antique Victorian quality cranberry vases having a quality pair of antique Victorian cranberry vases with glass shell decoration to the top stan...
Glass
Pair of Italian Sterling Silver Baroque vase
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large baroque style sterling silver vases. This pair of vases was made by the same master silversmith. Being made entirely by hand, the vases are similar but not identical, both in s...
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Victorian Decalomania Decorative Vase, London
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century Victorian decalomania decorative vase, made in London. This refined example of English decorative glass is formed of blown or molded glass with an antique white gr...
Glass, Blown Glass
Attractive Victorian sterling silver vase made in London in 1898
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1898 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Antique, Victorian, Sterling Silver Vase, features chased floral decoration throughout and a gilt interior. Th...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5.52 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Unusual Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Scent Bottle, Hallmarked London, 1898
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1898 by Charles Stuart Harris, this stylish, Victorian, antique sterling silver scent bottle, features a glass body incased in a plain silver mount, and a rem...
Sterling Silver