Object Description
A set of 4 small antique sterling silver spoons with the matching antique sterling silver mustard spoon. All with a matching hand engraved crest. Weight 69 grams, 2.2 troy ounces. Length 10.5 cms (salt) and 11.1 cms (mustard). London 1833. Maker William Chawner.
Biography – In 1815, William Chawner II set up his own family business of Chawner & Co., this silver workshop became the most dominant force in silver flatware production through the 19th century. The seven year spoon-making apprenticeship for William Chawner II, was with the partnership of William Eley and William Fearn from 1797. He became the third partner of this company in 1808. The experience from this top quality partnership provided him with the knowledge to set up his own workshop at 16 Hosier Lane, London to produce some of the finest quality silver spoons and forks of the period. William and his wife Mary, had a son William III, who undertook his apprenticeship with his father, and a daughter Mary Ann – they were not very adventurous with names! On his death in 1834 his widow Mary (also a spoonmaker) took over the business in readiness for her son William III to take over. However, in 1838, after completing his apprenticeship he opted out of spoon making and instead entered the church. The family business therefore was left to the husband of Mary Ann to go into partnership with Mary Chawner from 3rd August 1840 until 23rd November of the same year – this man was called George Adams. Under the leadership of George Adams the company flourished and became the most prolific producer of the very best quality silver flatware in a huge variety of patterns. The Chawner & Co. pattern book of circa 1875 is the basis for naming many of the more obscure patterns of the period. Illustrations from the pattern book can be found in Silver Flatware by Ian Pickford. Chawner and company continued trading until the 1880’s using the initials of the owner as it’s maker’s mark. It was sold to Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater in 1883, and this new line can be carried forward in to the 21st Century via Francis Higgins Ltd. Wm Eley, Wm Fearn & Wm Chawner WE/WF/WC 1808 – 1815 William Chawner WC & W.C 1815 – 1834 Mary Chawner MC 1834 – 1840 Mary Chawner & George Adams MC/GA 1840 George Adams GA 1840 – 1883