Items Similar to Christopher Dresser for Hukin and Heath Silver Plate Candy Box, circa 1880
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Christopher Dresser for Hukin and Heath Silver Plate Candy Box, circa 1880
About the Item
A magnificent hammered silver plate candy box designed by Dr. Christopher Dresser for Hukin & Heath, boasting an elegant scrolled branch handle and a beautifully ruffled lid. The base bears the hallmark of Hukin & Heath, showcasing its distinguished craftsmanship. The rare naturalistic candy box was crafted in England circa 1880. The organic flair of the box is typical of the English Victorian Arts and Crafts style and is an iconic design by the famous Christopher Dresser. The hammered bark effect barrel box ends with an intertwined vine handle and is supported by four vine feet. Hukin and Heath are well known for their production of silver and electroplated wares in the 1870s and 1880s, under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Dresser.
Measurements: 7.50 in wide (19 cm) x 6.13 in deep (15.5 cm) x 10.25 in high (26 cm).
Note: Hukin & Heath was a prominent British silversmithing and electroplating firm active between 1855 and 1953. The company is best known for its high-quality silver and electroplated wares, particularly those influenced by Persian and Japanese aesthetics, which were produced under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Dresser. The firm's output of eastern-inspired designs peaked in the 1870s and 1880s, reflecting the growing fascination with exotic styles in Victorian Britain.
The business was founded in Birmingham in 1855 by Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath. Hukin & Heath quickly established itself as a leading manufacturer, specializing in silver and electroplating. The firm registered its silver mark at the Birmingham Assay Office in 1875, followed by an entry at the London Assay Office in 1879 under the names of both founders. By this period, the company operated from a showroom at 19 Charterhouse Street, Holborn, while its manufacturing facilities were located at Imperial Works, Great Charles Street, Birmingham. The firm's trademark consisted of the initials H & H, accompanied by an eagle.
One of the most significant chapters in Hukin & Heath's history was its collaboration with Dr. Christopher Dresser, widely regarded as Britain's first independent industrial designer. Dresser's association with the company resulted in a range of innovative silver and electroplated designs that reflected his modern, functional approach and drew inspiration from Japanese minimalism. His work for Hukin & Heath was key in shaping the Anglo-Japanese aesthetic, which would later influence the British Art Nouveau movement. Even after Dresser's direct involvement ended, Hukin & Heath continued producing silverware based on his designs, some of which remained in production into the early 20th century.
Beyond its association with Dresser, the firm was known for its well-crafted domestic silverware, including tea and coffee services, claret jugs, and novelty items. In the early 20th century, Hukin & Heath continued adapting to changing tastes, incorporating Art Deco elements into their designs. The company remained active until 1953, when it was absorbed into the Birmingham-based silversmithing firm William Hutton & Sons, which was later acquired by James Dixon & Sons.
- Creator:Christopher Dresser (Designer),Hukin & Heath (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.25 in (26.04 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Depth: 6.13 in (15.58 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Overall, it is in very good condition. The metal is very shiny, with only minor surface wear throughout. The inside lacks silver plating. Check the close-up.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:Seller: Y066CFAGBF1stDibs: LU1632245074972
Hukin & Heath
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.
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