Zwilling J. A. Henckels AG is a German kitchenware manufacturer, one of the largest and oldest kitchenware brands in the world. Founded in 1731 by Peter Henckels, the company also owns one of the world’s oldest trademarks, that has almost unchanged since it was registered, and that happened as early as in 1731 as well.

Alfred Dunhill Limited, or Dunhill is a British Maison, specializing in luxury goods for men. The brand produces and sells designer and custom menswear, fine leather goods and accessories, such as lighters, pens and watches, as well as perfume. The company was founded in London in 1893 and has always been based there.

Jasper52, the online curated auctions platform recently released a new article on Russian Imperial-Era Silver, bellow is an excerpt of our contribution to the article.

Feng Xiang was a manufacturing and retail silversmith of Chinese origin, operating in the 19-20th centuries. The company produced export silverware of finest quality, that was in high demand all over the world.

Joseph Etienne Blerzy was a prominent goldsmith of French origin working in Paris in XVIII-XIX centuries. He specialized in ornate snuff boxes made from gold and elaborate enamels. The master was mostly active before 1806 and highly prolific: he is reported to have made approximately 40 boxes, all but one dating to the French Revolution.

Hung Chong & Co was a prominent Chinese silversmith and retailer, based in Shanghai and operating between 1830 and 1925. The maker is renowned and celebrated for its ultimately elaborated designs and unusual shapes of the pieces. His retail business didn’t specialize only in high quality silver tableware, they also dealt in blackwood furniture of unsurpassed quality and elegant design, as well as exquisite embroideries and splendid silk.

Jean-François Bautte (1772-1837) and Gabriel Moynier were two prominent goldsmiths of Swiss origin, who worked in partnership, as well as on their own, and crafted incredible objects of vertu, watches and jewellery.

Alexander Macrae was a British silversmith active in the 2nd part of the XIX century, he worked in partnership with other important artisans, as well as on his own, producing a plethora of fine highly decorative items mainly for the British market.

Alphonse Debain was a French silversmith, originating from a family of hereditary silver and gold makers. He produced exquisite tea sets and tableware of the finest quality.

At the end of the 19th century, Rudolf Linke was a respectable silversmith and enameller in Vienna. His workshop specialised in silver tableware, table centrepieces and jewellery, designed mostly in Neo-Renaissance style, also called Historismus.

“From a New Year’s feast inspired by the novels of Charles and Catherine Dickens, to seasonal decorating ideas from Selina Lake featuring rich pomegranate reds and swathes of natural greenery, to four homes brimming with personality and festive cheer, there’s plenty to delight and intrigue in this issue. We’ve also hand-picked 25 of the best online boutiques selling antiques, vintage and artisan goodies, and Caroline Wheater rounds up some key auctions over the next six months to pop in your diary. Plus we hope you’ll enjoy our collecting features on Bristol Blue glass, napkin rings, tartanware and glittering gold antiques. A Very Merry Christmas!”

The company began operating as Roberts, Cadman & Co. in 1784, when Samuel Roberts Sr., being the distinguished silversmith himself, decided to build new works for his son at Nº9, Eyre Street in Sheffield. Samuel Roberts Jr. and his partner George Cadman, who had been the apprentice of Roberts Sr., started the production of silver tableware, cutlery and Old Sheffield plate pieces of excellent quality.

The founder of brand name, Nathaniel Mills, the elder registered the maker's mark at the Birmingham Assay Office in 1803 while being a partner in "Mills and Langston, Jewellers Northwood".

One of the most iconic jewellery brands, Tiffany & Co's history begins from a small store that was opened on Broadway, New York in 1837. Two school friends Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young started to sell stationery, fancy souvenirs, china and haberdashery. In 1841 the company got a new partner, J.L. Ellis, who suggested selling silverware, jewellery and clocks. The firm changed its name to Tiffany, Young and Ellis.

"Jeweller of Kings, King of Jewellers"- these famous words belong to King Edward VII, when he expressed his attitude to Cartier, the extraordinary French jewellery and watches manufacturer.

Miyamoto Shoko was one of the most prolific Japanese silversmiths and retailers at the turn of the 20th century. In 1880, the founder of the firm Masaru Miyamoto started his business in Tokyo as the salesman of silver cigarette cases and tobacco to foreigners.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, the dinner party became an important part of social life, especially so for the Upper and emerging middle-class families, they began to pay great attention not only to the meals but also to the ceremony and theatrics surrounding them.

At the end of the 19th century, Rudolf Linke was a respectable silversmith and enameller in Vienna. His workshop specialised in silver tableware, table centrepieces and jewellery, designed mostly in Neo-Renaissance style, also called Historismus.

Vasily Agafonov (in Russian Василий Семенович Агафонов) was a prominent silversmith and goldsmith in Moscow. He had a workshop producing silverware, decorative objects and jewellery.

Andrei Bragin (in Russian Андрей Степанович Брагин) was one of the most respected and accomplished silversmiths in Saint-Petersburg at the turn of the century. He finished his apprenticeship in 1852 and opened his own workshop in 1888.