Angell Family

The firm of Joseph Angell & Son was formed around 1811 by Joseph Angell in Clerkenwell in London and went on to become one of the most important and largest silversmiths and jewellery makers in the mid 19th century.

From 1811 until 1849 the firm operated as manufacturing silversmiths to the trade, supplying other firms such as Roskell and Rundell Bridge until they opened their own retail outlet in 1849.

Joseph entered into a partnership agreement with his nephew John Charles Angell and they registered a joint mark in 1831, trading as Joseph & John Angell. They were joined by Joseph’s son Joseph Angell (junior) in 1837 and the three traded as Angell, Son & Angell in Panton Street, Haymarket in London.

John Charles Angell left the partnership in 1840 and formed a new business with his eldest son, George as John Angell & Son.

The original firm continued on as Joseph Angell & Son and after the retirement of Joseph Angell senior in 1848 the business was continued by Joseph junior who opened the retail outlet at Strand in 1849.

In 1851 an advert listed their stock as comprising a large collection of silver plate items “suitable for testimonials, presentations &c…” as well as a wide variety of plate for domestic and other uses including silver tea services, silver waiters, cake baskets, childrens’ mugs, candelabras, salvers, flower stands, lamps and kettles, claret jugs, cruet frames, baskets, and sugar vases.

In the 1840s it became known that Prince Albert was planning what would become The Great Exhibition and along with Sebastian Garrard (the Crown Jewellers) Joseph Angell junior let it be known in the right quarters that he was producing items that would be suitable for exhibiting. He won a Prize Medal for silver gilt tea and coffee service which was engraved and embellished with champleve enamel. The service was illustrated in ‘The Industry of All Nations Illustrated Catalogue, 1851’ on page 163. This became a popular design and was reproduced many times. The original version was purchased by the V&A Museum in 1973.

The firm continued trading until 1881 when it is listed as Angell & Co and as having premises at Strand and Old Bond Street. Joseph Angell junior died in 1881.