The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.

In 1880, William Gibson and John Lawrence Langman established The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company at 112 Regent Street, London. The firm quickly gained prominence for producing a diverse range of high-quality items, including solid silver tableware, cutlery, jewellery, watches, electroplated wares, trophies, and even surgical instruments.

By 1898, the company's continued success and expansion led to its incorporation as The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd. With a strong emphasis on advertising, the firm left behind an extensive catalogue of illustrated materials showcasing its craftsmanship. It also became a notable dealer in diamonds and precious stones while retailing luxury items by other esteemed silversmiths, including Harrison Brothers & Howson, William Comyns, Martin Hall & Co. Ltd, and W&G Sissons.

The company’s exceptional workmanship was recognised at major international exhibitions from the 1880s through the early 20th century. At the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, its Rococo silver tea and coffee set, Art Nouveau silver toilet set, and diamond jewellery received high praise. A contemporary account described the display as:

"The exhibit by the Goldsmiths’ and Silversmiths’ Company is of enormous intrinsic value. Its artistic value is great. Given these two attributes, and it is not surprising that the display interests vast numbers of people every day at the Exhibition. The Company fully deserves the success it has achieved."

(The Paris Exhibition, 1900. The Art Journal, London, 1901, p.188)

Beyond its role as a retailer, the firm operated an extensive workshop producing bespoke commissions for British and international clients, including aristocracy and royalty. It held a Royal Warrant, further solidifying its reputation for excellence.

In 1952, The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd merged with Garrard & Co., the Crown Jeweller, which subsequently took over its Regent Street premises. The integration strengthened Garrard’s standing in the luxury market, ensuring the legacy of The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company lived on within one of Britain’s most prestigious jewellery and silver firms.