CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Makers’ and Retailers’ Marks

Many antique boxes bear the name or mark of their maker, retailer or both. These marks served as a means of identification, advertising and commercial recognition and are now invaluable when researching the origin and date of a piece. 

Names, addresses and other details could be engraved or stamped into brass plates, locks or other fittings; gold-tooled or embossed into leather and velvet; cut or engraved into wood or ivory plaques; or printed onto paper labels.

Some marks are immediately visible when a box is opened, while others were deliberately placed in more discreet locations. Paper labels and gold-tooled marks are often found behind removable mirror or ruched-velvet panels, inside concealed letter wallets, beneath drawers or on the reverse of drop-front sections.

A box may carry more than one mark. For example, the retailer’s or cabinetmaker’s name might appear on the case itself, while a separate lock, silver fitting or patented mechanism bears the mark of the specialist manufacturer responsible for that component.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Two Concealed Drawers, by John Farthing.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Two Concealed Drawers, by John Farthing. VIEW THIS BOX →
Removing the ruched velvet/mirror panel in the lid reveals this paper maker’s label adhered to the concealed leather-bound letter wallet behind. This label bears the mark of the manufacturer and retailer, John Farthing of 42 Cornhill, London.
Removing the ruched velvet/mirror panel in the lid reveals this paper maker’s label adhered to the concealed leather-bound letter wallet behind. This label bears the mark of the manufacturer and retailer, John Farthing of 42 Cornhill, London.
Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut by Halstaff & Hannaford.
Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut by Halstaff & Hannaford. VIEW THIS BOX →
Removing the mirror/ruched velvet panel in the lid reveals a concealed leather-bound letter wallet behind. Adhered to the interior of the letter wallet is this label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, Halstaff & Hannaford of 228 Regent Street, London.
Removing the mirror/ruched velvet panel in the lid reveals a concealed leather-bound letter wallet behind. Adhered to the interior of the letter wallet is this label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, Halstaff & Hannaford of 228 Regent Street, London.
Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood by David Edwards.
Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood by David Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →
The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. Adhered to the exterior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, Edwards of 21 King Street, Bloomsbury Square, London.
The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. Adhered to the exterior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, Edwards of 21 King Street, Bloomsbury Square, London.
Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander Wood, by Edwards.
Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander Wood, by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →
The manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark ‘Edwards – 21 King Strt – Holborn’ has been stamped into the wood on the underside of the lid.
The manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark reads ‘Edwards – 21 King Strt – Holborn’ and has been stamped into the wood on the underside of the lid.
Antique Box in Cuban Mahogany with Brass Strapping.
Antique Box in Cuban Mahogany with Brass Strapping. VIEW THIS BOX →
The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. Adhered to the interior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, George Palmer of 1 St James’s Street, London.
The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. Adhered to the interior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, George Palmer of 1 St James’s Street, London.
Front interior view of the rosewood jewellery box showing the red-lined compartments and maker’s label.
Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Foliate Brass Inlay. VIEW THIS BOX →
Opening the lower drawer reveals the manufacturer’s label adhered to the interior lid section. This paper label bears the mark of the manufacturer, William Dobson of 166 Strand, London.
Opening the lower drawer reveals the manufacturer’s label adhered to the interior lid section. This paper label bears the mark of the manufacturer, William Dobson of 166 Strand, London.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →
The front flap of the box drops forward to reveal this engraved brass manufacturer’s and retailer’s plate on the reverse. The plate reads, ‘Jenner & Knewstub – To The Queen – 33 St James’s Street and 66 Jermyn Street’.
The front flap of the box drops forward to reveal this engraved brass manufacturer’s and retailer’s plate on the reverse. The plate reads, ‘Jenner & Knewstub – To The Queen – 33 St James’s Street and 66 Jermyn Street’.
Close-up of the gold-tooled Howell, James & Co. maker’s mark inside the lid.
Antique Jewellery Box in Amboyna, by Howell, James & Co. VIEW THIS BOX →
Howell, James & Co gold-tooled maker’s mark.
The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. The exterior of the letter wallet is marked with ‘Howell, James & Co. – 9 Regent Street’ in gold-tooling.
Close-up of the engraved W. Leuchars manufacturer’s plate inside the coromandel jewellery box.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Leuchars. VIEW THIS BOX →
An inlaid brass plate on the rear internal rim of the box is engraved with ‘W. Leuchars – Manufacturer to the Royal Family – 38 Piccadilly, London’.
An inlaid brass plate on the rear internal rim of the box is engraved with ‘W. Leuchars – Manufacturer to the Royal Family – 38 Piccadilly, London’.
Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood, by Bramah, Prestage & Ball.
Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood, by Bramah, Prestage & Ball. VIEW THIS BOX →
A leather label on the interior of the lid bears the gold-tooled manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark ‘Bramah, Prestage & Ball – 124, Piccadilly. Manufacturers to Her Majesty’.
The gold-tooled manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark on a leather label inside the lid reads ‘Bramah, Prestage & Ball – 124, Piccadilly. Manufacturers to Her Majesty’.
Asprey ‘Exhibition’ Piece – Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Brass Inlay and Secret Compartments.
Asprey ‘Exhibition’ Piece – Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Brass Inlay and Secret Compartments. VIEW THIS BOX →
An inlaid brass plate on the foremost internal rim of the box is engraved with ‘Asprey – Dressing Case Manufacturer – 166 Bond Street’.
An inlaid brass plate on the foremost internal rim of the box is engraved with ‘Asprey – Dressing Case Manufacturer – 166 Bond Street’.
Front interior view of the Aucoc Ainé nécessaire de voyage showing the fitted silver accessories.
Antique Nécessaire de Voyage Dressing Case in Ebony with Floral Brass Inlay by Aucoc Ainé à Paris. VIEW THIS BOX →
The lock plate is engraved with the manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark ‘Aucoc Ainé à Paris’.
The lock plate is engraved with the manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark ‘Aucoc Ainé à Paris’.
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 →
The lock plate is engraved with the manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark ‘Jenner & Knewstub – 33 St James’s St – London’. Additionally, the lock is engraved with the locksmith’s manufacturer’s mark, which reads ‘S. Mordan & Co – London’.
The lock plate is engraved with the manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark ‘Jenner & Knewstub – 33 St James’s St – London’. Additionally, the lock is engraved with the locksmith’s manufacturer’s mark ‘S. Mordan & Co – London’.
Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut, by Joseph Pearce
Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut, by Joseph Pearce VIEW THIS BOX →
An ivory manufacturer’s plaque inset to the front rim of the drawer reads, ‘Pearce. Maker. 77 Cornhill London’.
An ivory manufacturer’s plaque inset to the front rim of the drawer reads, ‘Pearce. Maker. 77 Cornhill London’.
Paper manufacturer’s label belonging to Elizabeth Gaimes of 53 & 54 St Paul’s Churchyard, London.
Paper manufacturer’s label belonging to Elizabeth Gaimes of 53 & 54 St Paul’s Churchyard, London.

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