Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a top quality George V Sterling Silver Cream Jug and Sugar Bowl set. Both pieces have slightly bulbous bases, flat topped c-shape handles and gilt interiors. There are no initials or personalisation of any kind.

The cream jug and sugar bowl were made in Bristol by Josiah Williams & Co and assayed in London (Bristol didn't have an assay office) in 1923 (for the sugar bowl) and 1934 (for the cream jug). They are clearly a matched pair so it seems likely that the cream jug was bought to replace an original 1923 one which had maybe been damaged or lost.

Josiah Williams & Co of Bristol were a hugely successful firm of silversmiths, the biggest in England outside of London, Birmingham and Sheffield. They traced their history back to Robert Williams succeeding to the business of William Woodman in around 1838. The firm passed through several generations of the Williams family becoming Josiah Williams & Co in 1879. Later partners included George Jackson and David Fullerton before they became a limited company in 1925. They finally ceased trading around 1940.

Condition is very good with just some truly tiny dings in the base of each piece plus the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after around 100 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The cream jug measures 8.7cm / 3.4ins from lip to handle, 5.8cm / 2.3ins in diameter at its widest point and stands 5.5cm / 2.1ins high. The sugar bowl is 9.8cm / 3.8ins from handle to handle, 6.1cm / 2.4ins in diameter at its widest point and 5.1cm / 2ins high. The two pieces together weigh in at a substantial 116.8g / 4.1oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the sides of the bodies, are nice and clear to read. They both show the lion passant for Sterling Silver and the leopard's head assay mark for London. The cream jug has the date letter t for 1934 and the J.W & Co makers' mark, whilst the sugar bowl has the date latter h for 1923 and the D.F makers' mark for David Fullerton of Josiah Williams & Co.

Shipping in the UK is £10 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the set.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.