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 - 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
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
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
$5,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
$89,500 / set
H 3.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
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
Candelabra Sculpture Centerpiece by Jacques Jarrige "Waves"
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Unique sculpture / candelabra in aluminum hand hammered by Jacques Jarrige. This tabletop, centerpiece can be commissioned to custom size.
Aluminum
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
Pair of Tall Sterling Silver Mid-Century Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, tall, Mid-Century candlesticks, Empire Silver Co., New York, Ca 1940's. Graceful in design, the column of each candlestick ends in a tulip-shaped candle cup....
Sterling Silver
$899
H 11.25 in W 8.5 in D 8 in
Val St. Lambert Mid-Century Large Clear & Submerged Cranberry Crystal Candelabra
By Val Saint Lambert
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial three arm candelabra was made by the renowned Val Saint Lambert factory of Belgium in approximately 1950 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. This candl...
Crystal
Pair of Tall Sterling Silver Neoclassical-Style Candlesticks
By Whiting Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of tall, sterling silver, Neoclassical candlesticks, produced by the Whiting Mfg. Co. (when it temporarily merged with the Gorham Mfg. Co. in the 1920's), Providence, Rhode Isla...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Gorham Strasbourg Sterling Silver 9-Inch Candlesticks
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Strasbourg sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1950. Each: Urn socket mounted to tapering columnar shaft terminating in knop; stepped and raised fo...
Sterling Silver
$1,800 / set
H 3.25 in W 8.13 in D 3.25 in
Signed Cartier Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modernist Flower Blossom Candlesticks
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Mid-Century two-light table candleabra or candle holders. In sterling silver. Retailed by Cartier. Likely designed and manufactured by Abbiati Gioacchino fu Carlo f...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$3,250 / set
H 9.38 in W 4.5 in D 3.63 in
Pair of Tiffany Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Bellied socket with plain and detachable bobeche; tapering shaft and raised oval foot. Ree...
Sterling Silver
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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
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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
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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