MAKERS & RETAILERS

Jenner & Knewstub

Jenner & Knewstub was established around 1856 by Frederick Jenner and Fabian James Knewstub. The firm initially traded from 33 St James’s Street, London, expanding in 1862 to additional premises at 66 Jermyn Street.

The business offered a broad range of luxury goods, including dressing cases, travelling bags, despatch boxes, writing cases, stationery, cutlery, jewellery, watches and other finely made accessories. 

Jenner & Knewstub exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862 in London, where the firm was awarded two Prize Medals for the general excellence of its dressing cases, bags and related goods. The company later exhibited at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1878.

By the 1870s, Jenner & Knewstub had established strong royal and court connections. Their own maker’s plates identify the firm as suppliers “To the Queen”, while contemporary advertisements and invoices also record appointments to the Prince and Princess of Wales, the British Royal Family and the Imperial Family of France. Surviving evidence additionally links the firm with the Russian Imperial Family and other European courts.

Charles Louis Faber was associated with the business as a dressing-case maker, remaining with the firm until his retirement on 14 May 1886

The company was subsequently incorporated as a limited business and, by the end of the 1880s, had become associated with A. Webster & Co. of 60 Piccadilly. The Jenner & Knewstub name continued to be used for a period following this transition.

Front interior view of the Jenner & Knewstub dressing case with the Betjemann patent mechanism fully extended.
Antique Dressing Case in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism, by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →
Jenner & Knewstub manufacturer’s plate from an antique coromandel dressing case with Betjemann Patent mechanism.
Jenner & Knewstub manufacturer’s plate from an antique coromandel dressing case with Betjemann Patent mechanism.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →
Jenner & Knewstub manufacturer’s plate from an antique coromandel jewellery box.
Jenner & Knewstub manufacturer’s plate from an antique coromandel jewellery box.
Invoice from Jenner & Knewstub, dated 1872.
Invoice from Jenner & Knewstub, dated 1872.
Front interior view of the coromandel dressing case by Jenner & Knewstub and James Vickery.
Antique Dressing Case in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub and James Vickery. VIEW THIS BOX →
Jenner and Knewstub manufacturer’s plate.
Jenner & Knewstub engraved brass manufacturer’s plate.
Antique jewellery box in coromandel with Betjemann Patent mechanism.
Antique jewellery box in coromandel with Betjemann Patent mechanism.
Bramah lock engraved with ‘Jenner & Knewstub, 33, St. James’s St, London S.W’ from a coromandel jewellery box with Betjemann Patent mechanism.
Bramah lock engraved with ‘Jenner & Knewstub, 33, St. James’s St, London S.W’ from a coromandel jewellery box with Betjemann Patent mechanism.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Countess Coronet, by Jenner & Knewstub.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Countess Coronet, by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →
Lock plate engraved with ‘Jenner & Knewstub – 33 St James’s St – London’.
Lock plate engraved with ‘Jenner & Knewstub – 33 St James’s St – London’.
Miniature Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut, by Jenner & Knewstub.
Miniature Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut, by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →
Jenner & Knewstub manufacturer’s plate from a miniature antique jewellery box in burr walnut.
Jenner & Knewstub manufacturer’s plate from a miniature antique jewellery box in burr walnut.

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