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.
Victorian Sterling Silver Cream Jug and Sugar Bowl
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver cream jug and sugar bowl; an addition to our silver teaware co...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Arts and Crafts Cream & Sugar
By Webster Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are thrilled to offer you this sterling silver cream & sugar set in the original box it was presented. Designed by the Webster Silver Company, these pieces have a hand hammere...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Sugar Caster, Chester Hallmark 1931
By Jay Richard Attenborough & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Chester in 1931 by Jay, Richard Attenborough & Co. Ltd., this charming, Sterling Silver Sugar Caster, is of traditional form, and features gadroon borders and a pul...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs, Victorian
Located in NEWARK, GB
An attractive pair of antique, Victorian era, sterling silver sugar tongs. Nice decorative fan design shoulders with small rounded bowls, the arms t...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Shaker
By Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders and James Francis Hollings Shepherd
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Large Sterling silver sugar caster, beautiful model with beautiful decorations in Regency style. The spreader has hallmarks of the city of Chester, dated 1905. The maker's mark is al...
Sterling Silver
George IV Gilt Sugar Bowl
By Benjamin Smith
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite George IV period silver sugar bowl by the celebrated Benjamin Smith is crafted in an exuberant Rococo style. From the floral and foliate handles to the delicately engraved armorial, this is a work of true genius. A gilt washed-interior adds a sense of majesty. Renowned for his rapidly changing partnerships as much as for his artistry, Smith worked with some of the best craftsmen of the era, including Paul Storr, Matthew Boulton, and Digby Scott...
Sterling Silver
Portuguese Silver Sugar Bowl, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Torino, IT
Bombe' chased circular form with scroll handles gilt interior on pedestal. Marked underneath, Portugal, 1820. Measures: 19.5 cm. depth. 14.5 cm. width. 19.0 cm. height. 474 gm.
Silver
$4,950 / set
H 1 in W 2 in D 9.2 in
George Adams Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Flatware Set
By George Adams
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A total of 35 pieces of early Victorian sterling silver English flatware by George Adams, London, dated 1878 in a very rare pattern. Ornately decorated an...
Sterling Silver
$4,019Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 10.63 in D 5.12 in
20th Century Made in Italy Sterling Silver Jug
By Mario Vallè
Located in VALENZA, IT
Fully handmade medieval style solid sterling silver jug. The body is oval and shaped embossed grooves. The base, separated from the rest of the body by a bushing, is round with the s...
Sterling Silver
$846
H 5.12 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Cream Jug or Milk Jug, London 1856
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1856 by George John Richards, this very attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Cream Jug, stands on three scroll feet, and features a gilt interior, a...
Sterling Silver
$750
H 4.75 in W 3 in D 5 in
Early 19th Century Georgian Sterling Silver Cream Jug, English, Dated 1811
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and heavy sterling silver cream jug of oval bellied form, decorated with an engraved band of repeating 'bright cut' guilloche motifs and a loop shaped handle with bri...
Sterling Silver
Towle Sterling Silver Punch Bowl and Cups with Turquoise Enamel
Located in Big Bend, WI
Shop categories helpful links Towle sterling silver punch bowl and cups with turquoise enamel Towle Impressive Towle sterling silver punch bowl a...
Sterling Silver
$1,900
H 7.29 in Dm 3.15 in
Attractive Victorian Engraved Antique Sterling Silver Goblet - Sheffield 1869
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1869, this very attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Goblet, features a shaped stem and engraved decoration throughout. The goblet measures 7.25"...
Sterling Silver
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H 8.25 in Dm 3.25 in
Georgian Style Britannia Standard Silver Caster Muffineer London 1909 C.S.Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Large Georgian style Britannia Standard (.950) Silver Muffineer Sugar Caster, London, 1909, Charles Stuart Harris. Large heavy silver gauge baluster form on pedestal foot, detachable...
Britannia Standard Silver
Antique Late Victorian Sterling Silver Small Basket/Dish
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique late Victorian sterling silver small dish/basket Made in London, 1893 Maker: Charles Stuart Harris Fully hallmarked. Dimension...
Silver
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H 6.89 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Engraved Goblet by C. S. Harris London, 1892
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1892 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Victorian, antique sterling silver goblet, features bright cut engraved foliage decoration and a bead border a...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Set of 10 Salt Cellars
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1892 by Charles Stuart Harris, this lovely set of 10 antique, Victorian, sterling silver salt cellars, are in the cauldron style with pretty floral chasing, p...
Sterling Silver
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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
Sterling Silver Bowl by Charles Stuart Harris - Antique Victorian
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver bowl made by Charles Stuart Harris; an addition to our dining silverware collection This fine antique Victorian Eng...
Silver, Sterling Silver