Antique English Neo-classical Silver Plate tray James Deakin c.1870 19th C

JAMES DEAKIN & SONS LTD
DEAKINS (SILVERSMITHS) LTD
Sheffield
The firm was established in 1865 by James Deakin at Sidney Works, Matilda Street, Sheffield. Before 1886 he was joined in partnership by his three sons, William Pitchford, John and Albert and the style of the firm was changed to James Deakin & Sons. In 1888 they opened London offices and showrooms at 48 Holborn Viaduct. Other branches were opened at Glasgow and Belfast. In 1897 the firm was converted to James Deakin & Sons Ltd.
In 1935, James Deakin & Sons Ltd was part of a short-lived merger "Silver & Steelcrafts Ltd" that included Fenton Bros and J.H. Potter & Sons. The combine collapsed within three years. In 1939 was created Deakins (Silversmiths) Ltd, active at 6 Earl Street and, from 1943 at Sidney Works, Matilda Street. They were liquidated in 1967.
In 1961 the brand was part of the "MONOGRAM" CUTLERY GROUP belonging to I.S. Dearden & Sons Ltd. manufacturing holloware and flatware under the "Bell brand" in the patterns 'Gordon', 'Balmoral' and 'Empire'.
Trade marks used: AZTEC, BELL SILVER, BRISBANE SILVER, PURITAN, REVLIS, SARBON, SHAW & FISHER, SIDNEY SILVER. The figural trade mark (table bell) was used from 1871 to 1936.

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satinwood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.