Early 20th Century Antique Sterling Silver Edwardian Tea Caddy Birmingham 1927 Barker Bros Ltd

Description

A large stylish 20th century oval tea caddy/biscuit box with hinged lid.  The caddy sits on four decorative feet and has a elegant bright cut engraved cartouche on the center front of the body.

Weight:  24 troy ounces/746 grams

Height:  7.5 inches/19cm

Length:  6.5 inches/16.5cm

Depth:  4.25 inches/11cm

Condition:  Excellent throughout

Price:  £1750

Business established in Birmingham in 1801. The firm still possesses the original Boulton & Watt dies acquired during its early days of manufacturing. The business appears in an 1871 directory as Barker Brothers, silversmiths active in Paradise Street.  In 1903 they moved to new factory premises, Unity Works, Constitution Hill, Birmingham, where it remained until the 1980s maintaining a London showroom during the early part of the 20th century.  In 1907 the firm was converted into a limited liability company under the style Barker Brothers Silversmiths Ltd.  Levi & Salaman Ltd and its subsidiary Potosi Silver Co were incorporated by Barker Brothers in 1921.  In the 1960s, merging with Ellis & Co (Birmingham) Ltd, the firm changed to Barker Ellis Silver Co Ltd.
On January 2, 1979, the firm obtained a Federal registration in the USA for the trademarks Ellis & Co, Barker Ellis and Ellis Barker (the marks were cancelled in 1988).  The company went into administration in 1992.  The firm used the trade marks BRITANOID, UNITY PLATE and THE HYGENIA.

CHRONOLOGY:
Mary Barker, 1801
Barker & Creed
William & Matthias Barker, until 1885
Barker Brothers, 1886-1907
Barker Brothers Silversmiths Ltd, 1907 amalgamated with Levi & Salaman, 1921, acquired Ellis & Co (Birmingham) Ltd, 1931
Barker Ellis Silver Co Ltd