Edwards

David Edwards established his cabinetmaking business in 1813 based at 84 St James’s Street, London. He remained at this address for about a year, before moving to 21 King Street, Bloomsbury, London.

Gaining a great reputation for the quality of his work, David Edwards was appointed, ‘Writing and Dressing Case manufacturer to his most gracious Majesty’, soon after King William IV came to the throne in 1830.

Thomas Edwards, David’s nephew, joined the business in 1832 and subsequently continued it after David died in 1848. The firm earned the Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria and the Royal Family, and their maker’s mark changed accordingly, from ‘Manufacturer to HIS Majesty’ to ‘Manufacturer to HER Majesty’.

Thomas’s son, Thomas Jeyes Edwards, succeeded him in the running of the business, winning a prize medal for ‘excellence of workmanship’ for his dressing cases and writing boxes at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Thomas Jeyes remained at the forefront up until the firm of Edwards was absorbed into Asprey in 1858. He continued on to work for Asprey until his retirement in 1872.

Antique Jewellery Box in Kingwood, by David Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

‘D. Edwards. Maker. 21 King Street. Holborn.’ engraved into brass from an antique jewellery box in kingwood dating from 1817.

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander with Spring-Loaded Mirror Mechanism, by David Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

‘D. Edwards. Manufacturer To His Majesty. 21 King Street. Holborn.’ engraved into brass from an antique jewellery box in calamander dating from 1822.

Edwards paper manufacturer’s label from c.1825.

Paper manufacturer’s label belonging to David Edwards, from 1827.

Edwards paper manufacturer’s label from c.1830.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

Antique Jewellery Box in Cuban Mahogany, by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander, Attributed to Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

Miniature Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood, by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

‘Edwards, Manufacturer to His Majesty, 21 King St, Bloomsbury, London’ gold tooled onto leather.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Duke Insignia by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander Wood by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →

A stamp of ‘Edwards, 21 King Strt, Holborn’ impressed into mahogany.

A writing book with ‘Edwards, Manufacturer to Her Majesty, 21 King St, Bloomsbury, London’ gold tooled onto leather.

Gentleman’s dressing case and writing case by Edwards, entered into the 1851 Great Exhibition.

Description of the gentleman’s dressing case and writing case by Edwards, entered into the 1851 Great Exhibition.

Edwards

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