Description

Hallmarked Sterling Silver Bottle Collars

From our Tantalus collection, we are pleased to offer this Art Deco Silver Tantalus by Hukin & Heath. The Tantalus of unusual form with a Silvered cage with a plinth base and beautifully shaped mounts with a rolled top and side locking mechanism. The silvered body is finished with a surmounted large loop handle for simplified travel. The exterior is finished with a signed lock plate is reading Hobbs & Co London Lever. Once unlocked the two slim glass bottles can be removed which both bear Sterling Silver collars hallmarked Sterling, Birmingham, Hukin & Heath, dated 1938. The Silver is shape as such to allow easy pouring from either side and the bottles are finished with stylish ball stoppers. The Decanter set dates to the Art Deco period.

The Tantalus comes complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

Hukin and Heath were important Silversmiths and electroplaters of Birmingham (1855-1953). Established by Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath. They registered Birmingham marks in 1875 and London marks in 1879. The firm began working in conjunction with Dr. Christopher Dresser in 1877 and some of their most notable designs have Dresser influence.

Hobbs & Co was founded by Alfred Charles Hobbs (1812-1891) an American born in Boston, MS. Hobbs became a salesman for one of America’s foremost lock manufacturers named Jones & Newell in 1840. He travelled to London for the 1851 Great Exhibition and entered fame when he managed to pick both a Bramah lock and also the famous Chubb detector lock. As a result Hobbs formed a company in London which was formally registered as Hobbs & Co. The firm went through various incarnations becoming Hobbs, Ashley & Co in 1855 and then Hobbs, Ashley & Fortescue and finally Hobbs, Hart & Co in 1860 based in Cheapside in London. They were very successful using advanced machine production methods not only creating locks but exceptional furniture too. In 1860 Alfred returned to America after the death of his partner Ashley. He had never intended to stay in Britain, so was happy to sell the thriving firm on to John Mathias Hart, whilst maintaining a beneficial interest in it. He returned to England in 1872 to celebrate their 21st anniversary.

Art Deco was a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design that first appeared in France in the 1910s. It flourished in the United States and Europe during the 1920s to early 1930s. It was hugely prevalent through styling and design of the exterior and interior of anything from large structures to small objects and even influenced fashion and jewellery. Art Deco has influenced bridges, buildings, ships, ocean liners, trains, cars, trucks, buses, furniture, and everyday objects like radios and vacuum cleaners. It has become extremely popular today and is highly desirable to collectors and trendsetters in the fashion industry.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information