Hawstead Hall Antiques

A Die-Stamped Silver Clock. William Comyns & Sons London Hallmarks 1898.

Comyns specialized in all areas of silversmithing, competeing successfully in the area of die stamping inexpensive items of silver for the mass market. These items were made of thin sheet silver,their intricate designs produced by stamping the soft metal with steel punches. Although mass produced,the raised patterns were often very detailed,conveying the impression of hand chasing and embossing,which on some items was indeed the case. It is becoming harder to find examples of these items in good condition as many years of cleaning has resulted in loss of detail, and even worse, the raised spots of die-stamped decoration have worn through completely.

Comyns die-stamped designs often incorporate elaborate arabesques with exotic birds and satyrs masks,equally popular were items with a group of cherubs heads emerging from billowing clouds after a design by Romney in 1897.

This popular range was also manufactured by other silversmiths, notably in Birmingham, to be sold in huge quantities in the growing number of outlets of Boots Cash Chemists, and other well known stores.Another popular design was of an elegant eighteenth century couple leaving a church in a carriage.This design features on trinket box lids, note book and minature bible covers. ←→