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 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
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
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
$6,844
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
Modernist Silvered Horse Knife Rests-Set of Twelve
Located in Downingtown, PA
Modernist silvered horse knife rests-set of twelve, 20th Century (NY9205/IRR) The twelve cast solid silvered plate horses are depicted in full gallop...
Metal
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
Christmas set balls and miniature plates
Located in Delft, NL
Christmas Delft Blue balls and miniature plates 5 Different ceramic Christmas ornaments in white with a blue Delft print by van Heinen, Delft Blue. Two round balls of 8 cm diagonal ...
Ceramic
Robert and Jean Cloutier Sculpture Horse, circa 1960, France
By Robert and Jean Cloutier
Located in Girona, Spain
Robert and Jean Cloutier sculpture horse. Made with glazed ceramic. Ceramic box. A fine black enameled sculptural horse shaped box. Signed Circa 196...
Ceramic
Otar Stacked Brass and Copper Box
By Otar USA
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This rare 1935 all-original decorative box was designed and produced by John Otar in California. The box features individual triangular brass and copper plates stacked to create a sp...
Brass, Copper
Large Rare French Gilt Bronze Box "Pinocchio" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare cast gilt bronze box "Pinocchio" by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The elongated lidded box depicts a silouette portrait of the famous boy. The interior...
Bronze
$1,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.38 in W 2.37 in D 2.76 in
Rare Set of Four Tortoiseshell And Silver Nesting Boxes, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Located in MOUGINS, FR
Rare set of four nestable boxes in extremely fine tortoiseshell, each decorated with a silver medallion in the Yogyakarta style. Excellent condition except for a crack on the larges...
Silver
$8,224 / set
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Set of 3 Antique Silver Gilt Tea Caddies 1903-1906 London, England Boxes
By Sebastian Henry Garrard
Located in London, GB
A set of three impressive solid Silver Tea Caddies decorated with ornated chased designs on the body and foot. Each has a chased push fit lid topped with a lovely berry and leaf fini...
Sterling Silver
$6,904 / set
H 0.79 in W 3.15 in D 4.53 in
Set of Four American Solid Silver & Enamel Cigarette Boxes by Cartier
By Cartier
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb 20th Century exceptionally rare set of four American solid silver and enamel cigarette boxes. Each lid is decorated with a different cigarette brand: “Lucky Strike,” “Old Go...
Silver, Enamel
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
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
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 limited edition of 100. Ite...
Vermeil, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Stuart Devlin Silver Gilt Surprise Egg Swan Duck Family, London, 1984
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise egg, London, 1984, opening to reveal Swan or Duck family among reeds. Original box and papers. Measures: Height 7.5cm high, No 19 of limited editio...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Stuart Devlin Clown and Performing Dog Egg, London, 1980
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise egg, London 1980, opening to reveal a clown and performing dog. Original box and papers. Height: 7.5cm high, No 19 of limited edition of 100. Item ...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin Silver Gilt Surprise Chicken Egg, London, 1981
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise chicken egg, London 1981, opening to reveal a chicken standing over a baby chick hatching. Original box. Height 7.5cm high, no 19 of limited editio...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin Honey Bee Egg, London, 1981
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Devlin, silver parcel-gilt and enamel honey bee novelty surprise egg, London, 1981 limited edition 19/229, in its original box. The egg depicting a honey bee surmounted on a f...
Rare Stuart Devlin Frog and Flowers Surprise Egg, London, 1975
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Rare Stuart Devlin, Silver parcel-gilt and enamel Stuart Devlin "Frog and Flowers" novelty surprise egg, London, 1975 limited edition 19/100, in its original...