Hunt & Roskell

Hunt & Roskell, one of London’s most distinguished firms of jewellers and silversmiths, can trace its origins to 1819 when the renowned silversmith Paul Storr left Rundell & Bridge to establish a partnership with John Mortimer. Storr, a master craftsman celebrated for his exceptional silverwork, laid the foundation for what would become an internationally recognised firm.

John Samuel Hunt, who had trained under Storr, joined the company and played a key role in its development. Following Storr’s retirement in 1838, the firm was renamed Mortimer & Hunt. In 1843, John Mortimer retired, and the business took on its final and most well-known name—Hunt & Roskell—under the leadership of John Samuel Hunt, his son, and Robert Roskell Jr., the latter being the son of a distinguished Liverpool watchmaker.

Operating from a prestigious location on Bond Street, Hunt & Roskell became one of the leading British silversmithing firms of the 19th century. The company was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria, likely in the late 1840s, cementing its status as a premier supplier of luxury silverware and jewellery to the royal household. Their work was also highly sought after by European aristocracy, particularly the Russian Imperial Court, which commissioned several elaborate pieces.

The firm was renowned for its masterfully crafted silverware, including lavishly detailed centrepieces, candelabra, tea services, and jewellery. Their designs often incorporated naturalistic elements, with exquisitely modelled floral and foliate motifs, scrolling patterns, and sculptural embellishments that reflected the prevailing Rococo Revival and Neo-Renaissance styles.

Hunt & Roskell’s reputation extended beyond Britain, and they exhibited at several major international expositions, including the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851, the New York Exhibition of 1853, and the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867. These appearances solidified their reputation among the elite clientele of Europe and America.

Following the deaths of John Hunt and Robert Roskell, their sons continued to manage the firm, ensuring its legacy endured well into the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, Hunt & Roskell had become a limited company, maintaining its presence in the world of high-end silver and jewellery until its closure in the late 1960s.