English Sterling Silver Appraisal

Antique English sterling centerpiece by Atkin Brothers, Sheffield. Dated 1919

English sterling silver 3-dish centrepiece, on footed platform, hallmarked Sheffleld 1919, with the maker’s monogram hallmark for Atkin Brothers. Approx. 19½” overall width, 12” height

We recently completed an English sterling silver appraisal for a local collector, requiring documentation of his collection for up to date insurance coverage.

English Sterling Silver Appraisal Henry Atkin & Co.

The story of Atkin Brothers doesn’t begin with the brothers themselves, but with a much earlier Sheffield silversmith: Thomas Law, active in the mid-18th century. Law is recorded as working in Sheffield around 1750–1775 and was notable for combining the trades of cutlers and general silversmiths—a rare dual focus in an era when shops usually specialized in one craft or the other. After Thomas Law’s death, his business was continued by his sons John and William Law. By the 1820s the firm had entered into partnerships that eventually brought the Atkin name into the picture—a pivotal turning point for the company’s later fame. In 1824, the mark entered by Joseph Law, John Oxley & Henry Atkin (a new incarnation of the firm) demonstrates that Henry Atkin had become associated with this longstanding Sheffield silversmithing enterprise. By 1829, Henry Atkin and Oxley were trading as Atkin, Oxley & Co., and this partnership continued until about 1840.

Henry Atkin & Co.: The Foundation of the Family Firm

Around 1840, the partnership with Oxley dissolved and Henry Atkin continued the business on his own, trading as Henry Atkin & Co. at 32 Howard Street in Sheffield. This was a time of rapid industrial and commercial growth for Sheffield, which had become one of England’s major manufacturing centers for steel, cutlery and silver goods.

Henry Atkin’s shop prospered, particularly as demand grew for high-quality cutlery and tableware during the Victorian era. The firm expanded its production to include electroplated goods, Britannia metal items, as well as sterling silver cutlery and flatware, reflecting both traditional craftsmanship and modern production methods.

Atkin Brothers: The Next Generation Takes Over

On Henry Atkin’s death in 1853, his three sons—Harry Wright Atkin, Edward Thomas Atkin, and Frank Shaw Atkin—took over the business. From this moment, the firm became known as Atkin Brothers and began to build the reputation it would enjoy for over a century.

The brothers continued to operate from the family’s Truro Works on Matilda Street, Sheffield, producing a wide range of products including:

• Sterling silver flatware—knives, forks, spoons and full dinner services

• Service pieces—tea sets, trays, bowls and decorative objects

• Silver-plated wares using electroplating technology

• Britannia metal works, an affordable alternative to fine silver

• Cutlery with ornate patterns and quality blades

Their items were hallmarked in Sheffield and often bore the company’s maker’s mark, typically the initials H.A. inside a rectangle for sterling silver and a combination mark such as HA EA FA for plated wares.

Craftsmanship and Product Range

Atkin Brothers developed a diverse product range that catered to both functional needs and decorative tastes:

1. Sterling Silver Plate and Tableware

They produced exceptionally well-made sterling silver items such as cutlery sets with mother-of-pearl handles, salt cellars, and table services that are still sought after by collectors today. These pieces were often hallmarked “Sheffield” with the appropriate date letters indicating year of manufacture.

2. Electroplated Silver (EPNS)

The firm was equally known for electroplated nickel silver items. EPNS (ElectroPlated Nickel Silver) allowed for elegant and decorative wares at more accessible prices than pure silver, making dining and decorative silverware attainable for a wider audience.

3. Custom and Bespoke Patterns

In the early 20th century, Atkin Brothers expanded into bespoke cutlery patterns such as the Rutland and Lancaster patterns, giving clients the ability to choose distinctive designs rather than standard Victorian patterns.

4. Decorative and Functional Pieces

From cocktail shakers (e.g., circa 1924 sterling pieces) to ornate silver artist’s paint boxes and Edwardian neoclassical salt cellars, Atkin Brothers demonstrated a breadth that ranged from the everyday to the luxury collectible.

London Presence and Market Reach

Although firmly based in Sheffield, the Atkin Brothers also maintained a retail outlet in London, expanding their market beyond Yorkshire. This London presence helped them reach more affluent customers and integrate into the broader British silver market, where London’s West End remained a hub for luxury ware.

Corporate Changes and Later Years

In 1925, the company became a limited liability company, incorporated as Atkin Brothers (Silversmiths) Ltd. This shift reflected its continued growth and formalization as a business entity.

During the 1940s, Atkin Brothers acquired Thomas Bradbury & Sons, another respected Sheffield maker—an example of consolidation within the British silver industry as companies adapted to changing market conditions after World War II. In 1963, Atkin Brothers joined other historic names like Elkingtons, Gladwins, Mappin & Webb, and Walker & Hall under the umbrella of British Silverware Ltd., a conglomerate that sought to unify several traditional manufacturers. The business was eventually discontinued in 1971, marking the end of an era. Finally, in 1958 the firm’s name and goodwill were acquired by C.J. Vander of London, bringing a close to the Atkin family’s direct involvement in the original company.

Legacy and Collectibility

Today, Atkin Brothers silver and silver-plated wares are widely collected by enthusiasts of British antique silverware for several reasons:

• Sheffield Hallmarks: Pieces are often hallmarked with clear Sheffield assay marks and maker’s marks, helping date and authenticate them.

Range of Products: From dining services to decorative objects, the breadth of work makes them appealing to a range of collectors.

Quality Craftsmanship: Even everyday items like cutlery sets were manufactured to high standards for their time.

Historical Context: Their evolution mirrors important shifts in British manufacturing—from hand craftsmanship to industrialized production and beyond.

Collectors often find Atkin Brothers pieces at auctions, antique shops, and online sales. Examples include Edwardian salt cellars, Victorian centrepieces, and complete cutlery services spanning the late 19th to mid-20th century.

Conclusion

From its roots in the mid-18th century through its 20th-century evolution and eventual absorption into larger conglomerates, Atkin Brothers represents a vital chapter in Sheffield’s rich silversmithing heritage. The firm’s ability to adapt—from handcrafted sterling silver to electroplated wares and bespoke patterns—helped it thrive for over a century. Today, its works remain cherished examples of British silverware craftsmanship and a testament to Sheffield’s industrial and artistic legacy.