Wm. Hawkes and Son

Wm. Hawkes and Son Established in 1884, we are a family run jewellers and silversmiths located in Walton Street, Knightsbridge.

We specialise in antique and traditionally designed jewellery together with modern and antique silver. We are delighted to showcase a varied collection of fine goods, from our illustrious silver and enamel animal ornaments to our ever-popular & expertly hand crafted copper wheel engraved crystal glassware. We also provide a comprehensive range of services including repairs, seal engraving, pearl-stringing and bespoke jewellery commissions upon request.

Here at Hawkes we have teamed up, with the goldsmith from Spain who is a third generation filigree expert and have desig...
15/07/2017

Here at Hawkes we have teamed up, with the goldsmith from Spain who is a third generation filigree expert and have designed a unique collection incorporating pearls and semiprecious cabochon cut stones.

Filigree Jewellery TechniqueThe ancient jewellery-making technique of filigree has its roots in Mesopotamia, where it wa...
15/07/2017

Filigree Jewellery Technique

The ancient jewellery-making technique of filigree has its roots in Mesopotamia, where it was used by craftsmen as far back as 3,000 BC. The name itself is derived from the Latin words for thread, filum, and grain, granum, with the latter referring to the tiny beads that were often used in filigree jewellery.
One of the most fascinating jewellery-making techniques still in use today, filigree involves twisting and plating thin metal threads into intricate lace-like patterns. The fine wire pieces are soldered together and with the ground with the help of the blowpipe, to create a larger piece, with or without gemstone accents. In ancient times, another technique called granulation, whereby small beads of metal were soldered onto the wirework, was often used together with filigree.
There are numerous examples of historic filigree jewels in museums all over the world, including a number of earrings dating back to Etruscan times on display at the British Museum. The Victoria and Albert Museum also houses several pieces made by Byzantine goldsmiths who sometimes set small precious stones in between the knots and curves of the filigree patterns.
In the 1820s and 1830s, coloured gemstones were often used in combination with elaborate filigree, featuring spirals known as cannetille and granules that were referred to as graniti. By employing this openwork jewellery-making technique, craftsmen could create bulky and opulent gold jewellery using the minimum of precious metal.
In the Edwardian era, jewellery was characterised by a delicate elegance and airiness that reflected the carefree and optimistic attitudes of the times. Antique engagement rings from this era often have complex filigree detailing in platinum, together with diamonds in old-mine or Old-European cuts.
Filigree was also extremely popular during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s. Arguably, some of the finest examples of filigree stem from this period when delicate openwork patterns were incorporated not only into rings, but also bracelets and pendant necklaces.
Crafting filigree jewellery is a painstaking and delicate process requiring many hours spent shaping the fine metal wire into the characteristically intricate curls and twists. However, even today, many designers continue to use this jewellery-making technique to great effect.

Copper Wheel Engraving: History and TechniqueThe process was practiced as far back as Roman times. During the 18th and e...
30/01/2017

Copper Wheel Engraving: History and Technique

The process was practiced as far back as Roman times. During the 18th and early 19th Century was the golden age of wheel engravers, however being labor intensive the finished product was never cheap. Various other methods were developed such as acid etching, sand blasting and drill engraving to reduce cost.
Copper wheel engraving gives an entirely different appearance – creating a three dimensional image to the eye.

The choice of our copper wheel engraved whisky tumblers, champagne flutes, decanters and dishes are also suitable for surface engraving on the silver parts (initials, dates etc.)

THE HISTORY OF BRITANNIA SILVERThe Britannia standard was first introduced in to England in March 1697, to prevent silve...
10/11/2016

THE HISTORY OF BRITANNIA SILVER

The Britannia standard was first introduced in to England in March 1697, to prevent silversmiths from using the coinage for manufacturing wrought plate. At the time, coins were made of sterling silver. Frequently, the price of silver was higher than the nominal value of the coin, so many coins were hoarded, or else melted down and their edges clipped for making plate, with the result that England was running out of small change. The solution adopted was to raise the standard of silver from 92.5% to 95.8%.
The figure of Britannia was based on the Goddess Athena who appeared on the Greek 'Iysimachus'. This was 4 drachma coin made of fine silver (over 93%) and was used until 340BC.
Britannia metal has always been favorite of skilled silversmiths. It is regarded as being cleaner and whiter than sterling, and, is easier to work with because its softer.

Britannia Silver items available at Wm. Hawkes and Son:
Armada Dishes, Harris Dishes, Tumblers, Beakers, Trinket Boxes, Wine Coasters...

THE HARRIS DISHThis dish is a faithful reproduction from the 'Armada Service', which is on permanent display at the Brit...
10/11/2016

THE HARRIS DISH
This dish is a faithful reproduction from the 'Armada Service', which is on permanent display at the British museum.
The 'Armada Service' compares a set of 26 partly gilt dishes, each engraved on the rim with the arms of Sir Christopher Harris (about 1553-1625) of Radford, Devon, and his wife, Mary Sydenham.
The set is known as the 'Armada Service' because of a long tradition that it was made from New World silver captured from Spanish treasure ships.
There is no proof of this theory. Sir Christopher Harris did, however, work for Sir Walter Raleigh in Devon and Cornwall as an Admiralty official during the Anglo-Spanish War (1585-1640), and acquired these dishes between 1581 and 1602. The dishes therefore represent the profits of his office.
We believe this dish is the most accurate Armada Service dish ever to be reproduced.

Harris Dish, available sizes and prices:
10" £1,300
8" £920
6" £590

THE STORY OF THE ARMADA DISHSilver supposedly taken from the Armada was used to complete a banqueting service for Sir Ch...
10/11/2016

THE STORY OF THE ARMADA DISH

Silver supposedly taken from the Armada was used to complete a banqueting service for Sir Christopher Harris in the reign of Elizabeth I. The original service was of 22 dishes of varying sizes, bearing the arms of Sir Christopher Harris and the London hallmarks for the years 1581, 1599, 1600 and 1601. During the civil war, about the year 1645, the service was buried in a field adjoining Dartmoor in order to avoid seizure by the parliamentary troops as the owners at that period (a great-nephew of the original owner) held a command in the Royal Forces at Plymouth. The service was recovered early in the 20th century and was restored by the maker of this dish.

This interesting and attractive piece of silver has been inspired by the original and incorporates the staggered hallmarks characteristic of the era. It has many uses and its story is a link with the common history of all the English–speaking peoples.

On the 19th day of July 1588 the great Spanish fleet was sighted, warning fires were built on the headlands along the English Channel. As thousands mustered to repel the invaders our Elizabethan seamen under the command of Lord Admiral Francis Drake, John Hawkins and Martin Frobisher set sail in the much smaller English craft to face the mighty enemy.

Their ability to out-manoeuvre the enemy and the sailors’ skill and courage were the main weapons of attack. Several engagements took place and out of the maelstrom of this historic event the fleet was routed and victory became ours.

The Armada represents to the British people one of our most celebrated periods in history: victory over the Spanish fleet, Britain at its greatest, steadfast under fire and composed under pressure. This is epitomised by Sir Frances Drake’s insistence on finishing his bowls before entering into the fray – though some would say it was his pilots’ knowledge and the British weather that provoked his reaction. We have come to think of the Armada as being an essential part of our country’s great naval history.

Armada Dish, available sizes and prices:
12" £2,485
10" £1,425
8" £785
7" £595
6" £465
4.75" £285
4.25" £245
3.75" £195

Silver and Enamel Clowns
09/11/2016

Silver and Enamel Clowns

Silver and enamel animals
09/11/2016

Silver and enamel animals

Address

50 Walton Street
London
SW31RB

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

02075892523

Website

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