Christopher Dresser / Hukin & Heath Aesthetic Movement "Adjustable" Toast or Letter Rack 1881

Famous for their pure silver and electroplated furnishings and objects, Hukin & Heath is known all over the world. Collectors of the British manufacturer’s alluring decorative objects and other wares are quite familiar with the exceptional quality associated with the brand as well as with Hukin & Heath’s distinctive trademark, which features the initials "H & H," paired with the form of an eagle taking flight. 

Silversmiths Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath established the firm in Birmingham in 1855. The company didn't register its silver mark until 1879 but had already erected a number of showrooms in London by that time. From sterling silver oil lamps to jugs and other vessels, the firm produced an array of elegant but useful items to meet just about any need in the home. Aficionados probably know the company primarily for its electroplated replications of Persian and Japanese goods.

The firm saw enough success to keep them in business even during periods of economic strain. Hukin & Heath’s good fortune skyrocketed in 1878, when they entered into collaboration with notable British designer and design theorist Dr. Christopher Dresser — recognized as one of the key figures in the Art Nouveau style, which, in its sinuous lines and flamboyant curves inspired by the natural world reflected a desire for freedom from the stuffy social and artistic strictures of the Victorian era. Dresser’s comely serveware and other items in electroplated nickel silver typically featured a reproduction of his signature alongside the manufacturer’s maker’s mark.

The company registered a number of Dresser’s designs with the H & H trademark in that timeframe. After they parted ways around 1881, Hukin & Heath continued to produce Dresser's designs. Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s design books containing his creations were destroyed before the firm closed permanently in 1953.

Find antique Hukin & Heath Sheffield silverplate, lighting and decorative objects.