Animals to make your dinner table resemble a sterling silver zoo. Novelty silver made by James Barclay Hennell who was a son of Robert Hennell who started the London firm Robert Hennell & Sons. Robert Hennell & Sons was in existence before 1851. It was sold in 1887. Two claret jugs and a smoker’s companion for when the gentlemen light their cigars.
Published
I have a pair of salt and pepper sterling silver pigs in a nice leather covered box apparently made by James Barclay Hennell. The inside of the box is in poor condition. Unfortunately my wife polished them so the hairs on the coats are not as lustrous as they were. The box has gilt initials AFSI on the lid. What could you tell me about them. Other than the polishing issue they are in very good condition. The remains of the lining seem to suggest they were made ‘——-by appointment to ——“
He made some wonderful novelty silver pieces. The initials would have belonged to whoever purchased them or belonged to who they were purchased for, for an additional fee you could get the pieces personalized. Must have had a royal warrant, either Queen Victoria’s or her son the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. “By Appointment to His Majesty The King” now. I think by Appointment to the Prince of Wales is probably what it said as by the time novelty silver came into fashion his mother had semi retired into widowhood up at Balmoral after Albert died. Their papers may be archived somewhere, I am not sure. Sometimes the papers and inventory books were saved and other times they threw them out. I will see what else I can find and if I find more I’ll add it. And thank you! Sarah