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
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
$6,929
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
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
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
$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
$3,750 / set
H 2.75 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Gilt Sterling Silver Boxes, no. 21618
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of signed gilt silver boxes. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver with a gilt finish. Pattern no. 21618. Marked to the base of each. Simply wonderful Tiffany design!...
Sterling Silver
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
Bronze Box with a Map of Gronland ‘Greenland’ on the Lid
Located in NYC, NY
A bronze box with a map of Greenland (Cronland in Danish) incised into the top of the box lid, with a cerused oak interior on solid metal feet. Incised on the underside with makers m...
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
$600 / set
H 1.5 in W 2 in D 2 in
Set of Four Golf-Themed Enamel Boxes – Halcyon Days & Limoges Collectibles
By Halcyon Days
Located in Morristown, NJ
Set of Four Golf-Themed Enamel Boxes – Halcyon Days & Limoges Collectibles This charming set of four golf-themed enamel boxes includes three English Halcyon Days pieces and one Limoges, France box, making it a perfect collection for golf enthusiasts and collectors of fine enamelware. Each piece is crafted with exquisite detailing and hand-painted designs celebrating golf's rich history and playful spirit. 1. Halcyon Days "William Innes & Blackheath Golf Club" Enamel Box Design: Features William Innes, a Member of Parliament and Captain of the Society of Golfers in 1778 at the Royal Blackheath Golf Club. Interior: The inside lid bears the inscription, referencing a painting by Lemuel Francis Abbot, along with a note about King James I introducing golf to England from Scotland in 1608. Exterior: Decorated with vintage golf illustrations, bordered by green and gold accents. Base: Marked Halcyon Days Enamels, England. Original box retained. 2. Halcyon Days "The Old Course, St. Andrews" Enamel Box Design: Features an elegant map of the Old Course at St. Andrews, the world’s most famous golf course. Interior: Inscribed with historical details about St. Andrews, including its role in the Open Championship and the founding of The Royal and Ancient Club House in 1854. Base: Marked Halcyon Days Enamels, England. Original box retained. 3. Halcyon Days "Golfing Teddy Bears" Enamel Box Design: A whimsical hand-painted scene of two teddy bears playing golf, one in a striped referee shirt and the other in red golf attire. Interior: Features a black-and-white illustration of a teddy bear holding a golf club. Base: Marked Halcyon Days Enamels, England. 4. Limoges "Lady Golfer" Hand-Painted Enamel Box Design: Features a female golfer in a classic plaid skirt and yellow sweater, preparing for a swing while her caddie watches nearby. Interior: Painted with a small golf ball on a tee. Backstamp: Marked "Limoges France - Peint Main" (Hand-Painted) with a golf club illustration. Set Features: ✔ Hand-Painted & Hand-Decorated ✔ Fine English & French Enamelware ✔ Historical & Whimsical Golf Themes ✔ Perfect for Collectors & Golf Lovers ✔ Excellent Condition – Includes Original Box for St. Andrews Piece This set celebrates the tradition, history, and charm of golf, making it a fantastic addition to any golf memorabilia collection or fine enamelware display. Dimensions: 2"dia x 1.25"h (Two larger Halcyon Days Boxes...
Metal, Enamel
Set of Twelve Red Shagreen Napkin Rings by Fabio Ltd
By Fabio Ltd.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian red shagreen and stainless steel napkin rings with matching red leather boxes designed by Fabio Bergomi for Fabio Ltd / Made in Italy Each ring has diameter 1.5 inches and wi...
Stainless Steel
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...