Henrik Wigstrom (in Russian: Хенрик Вигстром) is one of the most relevant workmasters of the House of Fabergé, along with his predecessor Michael Perkhin.

August Holmstrom (in Russian: Август Хольмстром)was born in Helsinki in 1829, son of a bricklayer. After his apprenticeship in St. Petersburg, he became master in 1857 and bought his own workshop. The same year he was appointed headmaster for the House of Fabergé and started working exclusively for the company.

Michael Perkhin (in Russian: Михаил Перкин) was, along with his successor Henrik Wingstrom (1862 - 1923), the most creative and talented head workmaster of the House of Fabergé.

The history of Fabergé (in Russian: Фаберже) begins in France back in 1685 when, due to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes the family had to leave the country to escape the prosecution against Huguenots and moved to Pernau, in the Baltic province of Livonia (now Estonia). Over the years the family name changed from Favri, to Fabrier and finally became Fabergé.

A student of Adrien-Maximilian, maker of gold boxes to Louis XVI and Napoleon. In 1818 he started working independently and registered his first mark in August 1827 and later went to work with the Fossin brothers in 1834, remaining there until 1840.

Founded in Paris in 1820 by Emile Puiforcat, the firm produced originally silver flatware and cutlery. At the end of the century Louis-Victor Puiforcat shifted the focus of the company to high-end silver pieces, especially reproductions of 18th Century masterpieces.

The company was founded in 1804 by Antoine-Vital Cardeilhac, who specialised in silver tableware and cutlery in a fine Rococo style.

Soon, the firm gained notoriety participating to the International Fairs and winning a bronze medal in 1823 and the silver one in 1827 and 1834.

The story of the firm began in 1830 when Charles Christofle (1805 - 1863) arrived in Paris from Lyons to join his brother-in-law’s jewellery firm.

When his brother-in-law died in 1837, Charles took over the business which became, within a few years, one of the most successful and popular silver brands of the last two centuries.

Although the firm Maison Aucoc was founded in 1877, its tradition comes from farther back, with Jean-Baptiste Casimir Aucoc, who started working in Paris in 1821 as a silversmith specialising in dressing and travelling cases. Aucoc participated to the French national exhibitions in 1827, 1839 and 1844. In 1851 he won a prize Medal at the Great World Exhibition in London.

The firm was founded in 1880 by Edmond Tetard (1860-1901). It initially specialised in tableware and pieces in style Louis XV. Its popularity grew when, in 1889 Edmond won the golden medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

La Maison Odiot, or House of Odiot was founded in 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Odiot, fine silversmith during the reign of Louis XV.

Thomas Heming was apprenticed to the Huguenot silversmith Peter Archambo, who helped introduce the Rococo style in England. In 1745 Thomas registered his first mark and began to trade the following year from his shop in Bond Street, London.

Charles Frederick Hancock, born in Birmingham in 1809, founded the company in 1849, after terminating his partnership with Storr & Mortimer. In the same year he opened his first shop at 39 Bruton Street and a few months later received the first Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria.

The firm, founded in 1811 by Joseph Angell, is one of the most successful silver and jewellery manufacturers in the mid 19th Century.

After his apprenticeship to Henry Nutting, Joseph obtained his freedom in 1804. In 1811 he entered his first mark as a plate worker and registered his company at 55 Compton Street, Clerkenwell.

There is no record of Charles Fox apprenticeship or documents stating if and when he became freeman of the Goldsmiths Company.

Company founded in 1725
 

The firm Hennell Ltd is a long-lasting family business of silversmiths founded in 1725 by David Hennell (1712-1785). His son Robert Hennell I (1741-1811) joined the company in partnership in 1763 and became sole owner of the business after his father’s retirement. He was soon joined by his son Samuel Hennell (1778-1837) and his nephew Robert Hennell II.

Company founded in 1725
 

The firm Hennell Ltd is a long-lasting family business of silversmiths founded in 1725 by David Hennell (1712-1785). His son Robert Hennell I (1741-1811) joined the company in partnership in 1763 and became sole owner of the business after his father’s retirement. He was soon joined by his son Samuel Hennell (1778-1837) and his nephew Robert Hennell II.

Not much is known about the early life of Edward Barnard. He started his apprenticeship with Henry Chawner and stayed in the business after his master’s retirement in 1798. In 1808 he entered his first mark with Rebecca Emes, widow of John Emes who had joined Chawner as a partner since 1796.

John Emes was a prominent English silversmith of the Regency period.

After his apprentice to William Woolett, he joined Henry Chawner’s silversmith business in 1796 and registered his own mark two years later, taking over the company after Chawner’s retirement.

The firm, founded in 1815, became very popular for pioneering the electroplating and gilding techniques.

It was established in Birmingham by George Richards Elkington’s uncle. George Richards took over the business after his uncle’s death together with his cousin Henry Elkington. A third partner, Josiah Mason who manufactured pens joined the firm from 1842 to 1861, when he left. After George Richards death in 1865 his sons successfully managed the business, which operated independently as Elkington & Co. until 1963.