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
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
Pair of Sterling Vases
By Black, Starr & Frost
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are proud to offer this pair of sterling silver vases by Black, Starr and Frost from the early 20th century. They have fine etchings a...
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).
Glass
Pair of English Victorian Minton Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Victorian style rust ground porcelain Pilgrim flask vases with gilt accents & painted with birds & floral clasps (Minton, 1948) (PRICED AS Pair)
Porcelain
Pair of Victorian Enameled Glass Vases
Located in Riverdale, NY
Pair of lovely Victorian Enamel Blown Green Glass Vases with enamel floral and gilt decoration. Fluted tops with on gently lobed shape. Likely UK late 19th Century. Height 13.5 inch...
Blown Glass
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
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
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
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
Tiffany Tall Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Vase
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tall Victorian Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Lobed baluster with inset neck and flared rim; domed foot. Acid-etched fluid and symmetrical leafing...
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Victorian Blue Glass Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Victorian blue overlay glass vases with silver floral trim. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Glass
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
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