Stuart Devlin was a mid-century modern Australian metalworker whose sparkling creations showcased the luster of silver. He used techniques like filigree and gilding to make a range of sterling silver serveware and decorative sculptures.
Devlin was born in Geelong, Victoria, in 1931. From 1951 to 1955, he taught gold and silversmithing in the town of Wangaratta. He went on to study at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1957 and earned a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London in 1958. Devlin was awarded a two-year Harkness Fellowship by the Commonwealth Fund, which he used to spend time at Columbia University in New York City.
After returning to Melbourne, he won a competition to design Australian coinage in 1964. His initials are still on the 1966 Australian 50-cent coin. A year later, he moved back to London and opened a workshop. There, he began producing limited-edition Christmas boxes and Easter eggs, which continue to be highly prized by collectors. Devlin also took commissions for coins and medals from countries around the world. From 1979 to 1985, he operated a popular showroom on London’s Conduit Street.
Devlin was widely acclaimed and recognized for his work over his long career. In 1982, he was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweler to Her Majesty the Queen. From 1996 to 1997, he served as the Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company. In 2000, he designed a coin series for the Summer Olympics in Sydney.
Devlin retired to Littlehampton, West Sussex, where he died in 2018 at the age of 86. As described in his obituary in The Guardian, Devlin sought to bring “delight, surprise, intrigue and even amusement” to modern style.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Stuart Devlin serveware, decorative objects and more.
Stuart Devlin Silver Gilt Novelty Egg with Humming Bird
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A highly collectable and delightful silver gilt novelty egg containing a hummingbird by renowned silversmith and artist Stuart Devlin (Australian, 1931-2018) and dated 1977. Stuart D...
Silver
Stuart Devlin Set of Twelve Silver and Silver-Gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas"
By Stuart Devlin, Cartier
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing an extraordinary and complete collection of Twelve English silver and silver-gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas" gift boxes, presented...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin Sterling Silver “Sea Urchin” Bowl, London 1969
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1969 by Stuart Devlin, this striking silver gilt bowl features a richly textured exterior formed of clustered, hammered indentations, a surface treatment used...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin, Sterling Silver Centrepiece, London, 1978
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1978 by Stuart Devlin, this stylish, modernist design, sterling silver centrepiece, features four holders for candles (or flowers), and a cast and gilt flower...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Epergne / Centrepiece / Vase 1911
Located in London, GB
An Antique solid Silver Epergne Centrepiece with a large oval central basket supporting a tall trumpet shaped vase on top of an impressive concave shaped stand. The central stand has...
Sterling Silver
Vintage 5" Buccellati Sterling Silver Footed Bowl
By Buccellati
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed, designer Italian silver bowl. By Gianmaria Buccellati. In sterling silver. With 4 applied feet and a scalloped body and rim. Fully marked to the base. Simply wond...
Sterling Silver
Set of Two Italian Rectangular Florentine Gilt Wood Boxes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of 2 charming Italian Mid-Century Florentine hand crafted boxes. These gilt-wood boxes can be used to store your favorite pieces of jewelry as well as stand alone pieces on a cof...
Giltwood, Paint, Paper
1920s Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique George V English sterling silver presentation bowl; an addition to our ornamental silver...
Sterling Silver
Silver and Ebony William Spratling Dominoes Set
By William Spratling
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Amazing Wiliam Spratling Dominoes set made of ebony wood and silver inlay. William Spratling (September 22, 1900–August 7, 1967) was an Americ...
Silver
1930s Ilonka Karasz Sterling Silver Modernist Bowl
By Ilonka Karasz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1930s. Etched with the designer’s mark on the base, this sterling silver bowl with a modernist and distinctly architectural form was created by Ilonka Karasz (American, born Hungary,...
Sterling Silver
Italian Silver Gilt Pheasant Birds, Pair
Located in New York, NY
An Italian pair of silver-plate pheasant bird sculptures decorative objects, circa early to mid-20th century, Italy. The birds, male and female, are beautifully cast with fine detai...
Metal, Silver Plate
Large Gilt and Silvered Bronze Jewel Box/Casket
Located in Norwood, NJ
French 19th century large gilt and silvered bronze table box. Finely cast Renaissance Revival gilt and silvered bronze jewelry box with tufted velvet interior lining. Four corners wi...
Bronze
Box with a Shell Lid in Style of Alexandre Noll
By Alexandre Noll
Located in NYC, NY
A beautiful wood box with a small compartment inside and a shell lid in the manner of Alexandre Noll.
Shell, Walnut
$3,050Sale Price / set|29% Off
H 17.5 in W 15 in D 7 in
Pair of Mid-Century Silvered Ostrich Sculptures Constructed with Ostrich Eggs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fanciful pair of Mid-Century ostrich bird sculptures constructed with ostrich eggs and silvered metal. Wearing a quizzical expression that seems to be ask...
Ostrich Eggshell
$1,442
H 7.37 in Dm 3.47 in
Da Ros Cenedese Italian Yellow & Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Candlestick Holder
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare Antonio da Ros for Cenedese vintage Italian yellow uranium Murano glass candlestick stand, holder or Candelabra made circa 1960s with a blue central sphere and blue sommerso top...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$695
H 5.25 in W 10.5 in D 5.5 in
19th Century Tramp Art Box with Chip-Carved Decoration, Date and Velvet Inside
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Tramp Art rectangular wooden box featuring elaborate chip-carved decoration. Each side of this box is adorned with hand-carved tiered frames of four-layered notches, characteristic of the traditional chip-carving technique of Tramp Art, a 19th century form Folk Art that transforms salvaged materials into furniture and art. The lid, attached to the base with hinges, is covered with a burgundy velvet pad bordered by a chip-carved trim centered around a carved lion head. The lid, which lifts by a ring pull, opens to reveal a velvety green storage...
Wood
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H 9.77 in W 7.17 in D 7.17 in
Vintage Sterling Silver Stuart Devlin Candelabrum Candelabra Candle Holder 1975
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, GB
An elegant modernist Candelabrum by the esteemed Silversmith Stuart Devlin. The Four Light Candelabra has polished silver arms and base and a textured column embellished with the tra...
Sterling Silver
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H 9.85 in W 18.9 in D 9.45 in
Stuart Devlin - pair of mid century partial gilt silver candelabra made in 1975
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1975 by Stuart Devlin, this stylish pair of Elizabeth II period, Sterling Silver Candelabra, feature gilt filagree columns, and will each hold 4 candles. Each...
Sterling Silver
Modern 20th Century Stuart Devlin Solid Silver Trinket Box c.1978
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Modern 20th Century Stuart Devlin solid silver gilt trinket box, the lid applied with flowers. Hallmarked English Silver (925 Standard), London, year 1978 (D), Maker's mark S.D (Stua...
Silver
Stuart Devlin Silver Gilt Surprise Jack in the Box Clown Egg
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A highly collectable and delightful silver gilt novelty egg containing a surprise Jack in the Box clown by renowned silversmith and artist Stuart Devlin (Australian, 1931-2018) and d...
Silver
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H 2.37 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in
Stuart Devlin - Modernist Design Sterling Silver Jewellery Box - London 1968
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1968 by Stuart Devlin, this very stylish, Sterling Silver Jewellery Box, is typical of Devlin's design, lined in red velvet and silk, and gold plated. The j...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin, Sterling Silver & Gilt Centrepiece Rose Bowl, London 1982
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1982 by Stuart Devlin, this striking, Sterling Silver Rose Bowl, is elegantly created in Devlin's recognisable style, with the remo...
Sterling Silver
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H 13 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
Stuart Devlin, Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Candlesticks, London, 1974
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1974 by Stuart Devlin, this wonderful pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks, have hand forged stems, and hand made cylindrical tapered filigree shades. Each ca...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin, Mid-Century Modern, Sterling Silver Rose Bowl, London, 1973
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1973 by Stuart Devlin, this handsome, Sterling Silver Rose Bowl, is typical of Devlin's design, featuring a gilt flam...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin, Sterling Silver Potpourri Holder, London, 1973
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1973 by Stuart Devlin, this very handsome Sterling Silver Potpourri Holder, is round in shape, plain in style, and features a ...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin Silver Gilt Surprise Egg, London, 1978
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise egg, London 1978, opening to reveal a fish swimming amongst ocean sea plants. Original box height: 7.5cm high, no 19 of...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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H 2.96 in Dm 1.58 in
Stuart Devlin Surprise Fish and Anchor Egg, Silver and Vermeil, London, 1977
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Devlin surprise fish and anchor egg, silver and vermeil London 1977, original box. Measures: Height 7.5cm high, No 19 of limited edition. Item weight: 152 grams.
Sterling Silver
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H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Set of 4 Stuart Devlin Sterling Silver & Gilt Candlesticks 1972 Boxed Modernist
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Set of Antique solid Silver parcel gilt Candlesticks made in the archetypal style of Stuart Devlin. The Candlesticks have conical base and capital in highly polished si...
Sterling Silver