Magnum Champagne Bottle Decanter by Hukin & Heath

Description

This Magnum Champagne Bottle Decanter by Hukin & Heath dates to the late nineteenth century and is hallmarked Birmingham, 1893.

The decanter is modelled as a giant magnum champagne bottle formed in clear glass and fitted with sterling silver mounts. The tall tapering bottle rises to a silver mounted neck and rounded stopper, faithfully capturing the proportions of a champagne bottle but on an exaggerated scale.

The silver mounts are hallmarked Birmingham for John Thomas Heath and John Hartshorne Middleton, the partnership behind the well known firm Hukin & Heath, and are dated 1893.

Standing an impressive 50 cm high (19.7 inches), the decanter represents a striking example of Victorian novelty barware, combining large scale glass with quality Birmingham silver mounts.

A rare and unusual champagne bottle form decanter by Hukin & Heath, notable for its impressive magnum scale.

View the full Barware and Decanter / Tantalus Collection.

Heath & Middleton (Hukin & Heath)

Hukin and Heath were influential Birmingham silversmiths and electroplaters founded in 1855 by Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath. Working from Imperial Works in Great Charles Street, Birmingham, the firm produced both sterling silver and electroplated wares and later operated London showrooms in Charterhouse Street, Holborn.

The company became closely associated with the designer Dr Christopher Dresser, whose clean geometric forms and Japanese influenced designs brought a modern approach to Victorian metalwork. Between 1878 and 1881 a number of Dresser designs were produced by the firm and many remained in production into the early twentieth century.

Hukin and Heath manufactured a wide range of domestic silver and plated objects including tea services, claret jugs and tableware. The firm continued trading as Hukin and Heath Ltd until its closure in 1953.

For further information see our Makers and Retailers profile on Hukin & Heath.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloy composed by weight of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness (parts per thousand) of 925.

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