Francis Higgins English 1865 Gilt Sterling Silver Spoons and Tongs with Leaves
Francis Higgins set of gilt sterling silver flatware pieces, made in London, England in 1865 during the Victorian era, consisting of: - 12 spoons measuring 5'' in length - a sugar spoon measuring 4 1/2'' in length - tongs measuring 6'' in length Total weight is 301 grams. Hallmarks are shown. Francis Higgins (1818 - 1908) was a leading silversmith of the Victorian era. Francis Higgins & Son. rose to great prominence for the quality and ingenuity of their silverware and as specialist spoon and folk makers, regarded as one of the most important firms of Victorian silversmiths specializing in this field. As a leading maker of flatware, much of Francis Higgins’ work was supplied to some of the finest retailers, including the notable Hunt and Roskell, and Garrard & Co. Francis Higgins’ craftsmanship and exemplary creative ingenuity were recognized by contemporary society and art critics alike. In 1848, The Art Union praised the firm’s production as “remarkable for their elegant simplicity, or elaborate and rich workmanship; Instead of fiddles, and such matters whereupon to base his design the party in question has had to recourse to the beautiful forms of nature – the leaves and buds of the rose, and other flowering plants, which he has adapted…They may, we are informed be procured of any respectable silversmith, either in London or in the provincial towns.” (John Culme, “The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914”, 1987, p. 230). Some of their pieces are in the permanent collections of prestigious museums, including the Victoria & Albert Museum. Please feel free to ask us any questions, and please see our other listings. NO published price will beat ours. We hand polish all items before shipping them out, but if there is interest for a professional polishing and/or engraving removal, we can take care of that for an additional charge and with delayed shipping.