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 Set of Twelve Silver and Silver-Gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas"
By Cartier, Stuart Devlin
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
Rare Stuart Devlin Sterling Silver & Gilt Filigree Candelabrum, London 1967
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1967 by Stuart Devlin, this exceptional Elizabeth II sterling silver three-light candelabrum is a premier example of high-modernist design. The piece features...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin - Sterling Silver Candelabrum, London 1971, Modernist Design
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1971 by Stuart Devlin, this exceptional Elizabeth II sterling silver candelabrum centrepiece has a modernist three-light form. The centrepiece features three ...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Elizabeth II Sterling Silver Gilt Candlesticks, Stuart Devlin, 1968
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1968 by Stuart Devlin, this striking pair of Elizabeth II sterling silver candlesticks features plain cylindrical stems on spreading circular bases. Each is f...
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
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
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
$6,816
H 10.24 in W 14.97 in D 8.27 in
Allegories of Art, French 19th Century Large Jewelry Casket After Clodion
By Claude Michel Clodion
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Napoleon III Jewelry Casket In chiseled and silvered bronze, decorated with putti scenes in the style of Claude Michel dit Clodion (...
Bronze
Hammered Sterling Silver Decorative Bowl, Mexico, 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous hammered .925 sterling silver bowl by unknown Mexican designer 1950's Measures approximately: Diameter: 5.5" Height: 2" Similar designers of the period include Willi...
Silver
$6,600 / set
H 9.63 in W 4.88 in D 4.88 in
Pair of English Georgian Sterling Silver Candlesticks, 1766
Located in New York, NY
Pair of George III cast sterling silver candlesticks. Made by John Arnell in London in 1766. Each: Spool socket mounted to faceted and tapering shaft with knops and flanges; leaf-cov...
Sterling Silver
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
$16,687Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 5.32 in W 29.89 in D 14.97 in
Wolfers Freres Neoclassical Large Silver Centrepiece 'tray & flowerbasket'
By Wolfers Frères
Located in Verviers, BE
Made of solid silver, both silver pieces are fully marked, 800 silver with the maker's mark. This substantial and beautifully-crafted neoclassical centrepiece was made in the 1920s and will look perfect on a hall/lobby table or in the dining room. The large silver tray is mounted on a wooden base and secured with brackets. The outside rail has a tube border with scallop shells. The polished surface of the silver tray is in very fine condition for its age and gives a good mirror to the light. The design motif is continued on the silver collar which slips over a copper liner. The copper liner-basket is cut to an exact outline and fit so that a floral arrangement can be executed elsewhere and then dropped into position. For convenience, this item comes with a cut crystal vase saint Louis of suitable height and shape which sits inside the copper lining. The crystal vase may be 'associated', it cannot be verified that it was originally supplied with the rest of the set, but it is of the right period and style. The Brussels firm of Wolfers Freres...
Silver, Brass
Pair of Neoclassical Sterling Silver Column candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Neoclassical-Style, square based column candlesticks, American, Ca. 1930's. Each candlestick measures 7 1/8 inches high x 3 inches wide (at widest point acro...
Sterling Silver
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
Pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By James Dixon & Sons
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks in the arts and crafts style, hallmarked in the city of Sheffield in 1905/06 by James Dixon...
Silver
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
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
Sold
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
Sold
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
Sold
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
Sold
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
Sold
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