SAUNDERS & SHEPERD 1883 Birmingham Victorian Buckles Bangle In .925 Sterling
Bracelet designed by Cornelius Saunders & James Shepherd.
This is a stunning antique 19th century bangle bracelet, created in the city of Birmingham England at the silversmiths workshop of Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd, back in the 1883. The unusual beautiful bracelet has been crafted in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with high polished finish. The design depicts two elaborated buckles in high relief and engraved with floriated designs. The bracelet is fitted with a concealed three barrels hinge and a push security boxed lock. This is a very nice historical piece of jewelry from the high Victorian period.
Weight: 47.30 Grams, (30.35 Dwt).
Size: 7 Inches, (18 Cm).
Measurements: The width is 32 mm (1.26 Inches) and raise 9 mm over the wrist.
Hallmarks: Both parts are stamped with the British crown mark of the peasant lion, the anchor for the city of Birmingham, the maker's mark CS FS associated to Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings, the mark for the assay of the sterling silver, the gothic letter I for the production year of 1883 and signed as follow: "CS FS .925 I".
Saunders & Shepherd
The company was founded in London 1869 by Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders Sr & James Francis Hollings Shepard. They were a manufacturing jewelers out of 23 Bartlett’s Buildings in Holborn Circus. They specialized in mourning jewellery but branched out into all other avenues of jewellery from earrings to necklets. They expanded rapidly taking on numbers 24 and then 25 before also moving into Bartlett’s Passage as their success continued to grow. Initially they specialised in mourning jewelry made from jet but by 1880 they were advertising as “manufacturers in gold and standard silver of brooches, earrings, chains, swivels, lockets and necklets, pendants, solitaires, studs and charms.” In 1889 they became the licensees for the American firm of Krementz and their patented one-piece collar stud and also invented the first self-closing bracelet. In 1890 Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders passed away and the business was taken on by his three sons and converted into a limited company and henceforth known as Saunders and Shepherd Ltd. The firm had offices in India, Canada and Australia and tea chests full of jewels were regularly shipped for sale abroad. In 1909 a factory was opened in Birmingham and the company were producing increasing numbers of new designs and innovative pieces to keep abreast of changing fashions. In 1916 Saunders & Shepherd Ltd and factories in London, Birmingham and Glasgow and continued manufacturing until the company dissolved in 2021.
Collateral: This bracelet is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this bracelet is very good. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the sterling and all parts are working in good shape. This bracelet has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: B101224SENL/1.402
