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 Teapot by Charles Stuart Harris, London 1877
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1877 by Charles Stuart Harris, this elegant antique Victorian sterling silver teapot has a bullet-shaped form. The plain body features a hinged cover topped w...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Miniature Teapot
By Yapp & Woodward
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, miniature antique Victorian English sterling silver teapot in the Chinoiserie style; an addition to our silver teaware collection This exceptional and rare antique Victorian sterling silver miniature teapot...
Sterling Silver
$225
H 11 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Antique English Victorian Silver Plated Floral Repousse Coffee Pot Teapot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Victorian Silver Plated Floral Repousse Coffee Pot Teapot with Urn Finial. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 11" H x 7" W x 4.5" D.
Silver Plate
Edwardian Dutch Sterling Silver Teapot by Edwin Thompson Bryant, 1901
By Edwin Thompson Bryant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian Dutch sterling silver bachelor teapot; an addition to our silver teaware collection This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver bachelor teapot has a circular cushion shaped form onto four feet. The surface of the teapot is embellished with chased, large interlacing leaf motifs on a textured background; the leaf designs eminate from a plain starburst motif to the underside. The decoration to the body incorporates four cartouches, each displaying a simplified Dutch style rural architectural scene. The upper portion of the body is ornamented with a band of chased ribbed decoration below the plain swept shoulders. This antique teapot is fitted with a hallmarked, domed hinged cover encircled with a scalloped border and surmounted with an impressive and original floral and foliate finial. This fine teapot is fitted with the original carved pear wood C shaped handle with plain sterling silver sockets. This impressive example of antique silverware has a truncated spout ornamented with further leaf designs and incorporating a simplified scene to the underside. This antique bachelor teapot...
Sterling Silver
$450
H 12.5 in W 10 in D 6 in
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Gorham 01180 Tilting Teapot Coffee Pot on Stand
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Gorham 01180 Ornate Footed Tilting Teapot Coffee Pot on Warming Stand. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 12.5" H x 10" W x 6" D.
Silver Plate
Vintage Hotel Silver Plated Teapot
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage silver plated tea pot, 5 in x 7 in at widest point, some scratches and dents, marked Grace Line, an ocean liner, on one side of tea pot, underside marked 28088 e & co. In shield, Elkington Plate...
Silver Plate
$49
H 7.75 in W 4 in D 5.75 in
Antique English Victorian Small Wooden Handle Silver Plated Creamer Teapot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Victorian Small Wooden Handle Silver Plated Creamer Teapot. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 7.75" H x 4" W x 5.75" D.
Silver Plate
$2,175 / set
H 2 in Dm 3.2 in
Charles Stuart Harris Victorian Sterling Silver Cream and Sugar Presentation Set
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver cream and sugar presentation set made by Charles Stuart Harris - boxed; part of our silver teaware collection. This fine antique Victorian sterling silver afternoon teaware set consists of a sugar bowl, a cream jug, six teaspoons and a pair of sugar tongs. The cream jug and sugar bowl have a circular rounded form and ornamented with embossed and chased segmented floral and leaf motifs. The cream jug is fitted with a C scroll handle accented with a figurehead ornamentation. Both the cream jug and sugar bowl retains the original gilt interior. Each teaspoon has been crafted in the Old English pattern. The anterior surfaces of the teaspoon handles and the bridge of the sugar tongs are embellished with panels of bright cut engraved scrolling leaf decoration, accented with star motifs and incorporating a bead bordered vacant oval cartouche. This impressive cream and sugar set is fitted to the original fine and impressive hinged leatherette box with satin and velvet lined interior, which secures with a push fit catch. The interior of the box bears the mark ‘By Appointment, Elkington & Co, Manchester’ beneath a Royal coronet amidst the initials VR. This afternoon tea service was made by the renowned London silversmith Charles Stuart Harris. Condition The pieces of this antique cream and sugar...
Sterling Silver
Victorian English Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl by Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver presentation bowl made by Charles Stuart Harris; an addition to our dining silverware collection. This impressive a...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver Teapot
By Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
Francis I sterling silver teapot. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Bellied ovoid body on domed foot, high-looping leaf-capped scroll handle, and leaf-capped s-scroll handl...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling 925/°°° Silver Finely Chased Teapot
Located in Torino, IT
Manufactured by Charles Wright, London, England, 1771.
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Service by Fenton Brothers, 1882
By Fenton Brothers
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver three piece tea service, with Zodiac influence; part of our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian silver tea set...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Vintage Abraham & Straus Victorian Silver Plated Bulbous Coffee Pot Teapot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Abraham & Straus Victorian Silver Plated Bulbous Coffee Pot Teapot. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 7.5" H x 0" W x 5" D.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 5.52 in W 10.63 in D 4.73 in
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Teapot, C. S. Harris London, 1883
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1883 by Charles Stuart Harris, this handsome, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Teapot, is oval in shape and plain in ...
Sterling Silver
Victorian 19th Century English Sterling Silver Teapot
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver teapot; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This magnificent antique Victorian English sterling silver teapot has a circular rounded form. The body of the teapot is embellished with convex oval panels embellished with exceptional bright cut engraved floral and foliate sprays, including roses and lilies. The panels are segmented with bright cut engraved scrolling leaf decorated borders, incorporating a cartouche to either side; one remains vacant and the other bears the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of a dexter hand issuing out of a cloud pointing to a staff. The raised flared shoulders of the teapot are encompassed with a cast and applied scrolling leaf textured border. This antique silver teapot is fitted with a domed hinged hallmarked cover, surmounted with the original and impressive hallmarked cast sterling silver lobed, tapering finial, accented with a scroll and bead decorated collar design to the lower portion. The cover is further ornamented with bright cut engraved scrolling leaf designs. This Victorian silver teapot is fitted with an impressive cast sterling silver S scroll handle with an exceptional leaf textured thumbpiece and further leaf designs to the exceptional terminals. The swan necked spout is encompassed with impressive tiers of foliate textures and leaf designs. This antique silver teapot is supported by four impressive conjoined bracket style feet ornamented with cast foliate decoration, in addition to scrolling designs to the rim. This magnificent teapot, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Charles Stuart Harris, is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire. This antique Victorian teapot...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Coffee Jug 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 coffee jug made by Charles Stuart Harris; an addition to our range of silver teaware. This fine antique Victorian sterling silver coffee jug has an oval rounded Queen Anne...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Tea Service
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, GB
A sterling silver tea and coffee service comprising of a coffee pot, teapot, kettle on stand with lamp, sugar basin and cream jug. It is of spiral flute design with gadroon borders a...
Silver