C.J. Vander

C. J. Vander – are high quality silversmiths known for their hand produced silverwares. They were bought in 1996 by Syratech Corporation, a leading USA silver brand and continue trading today.

The company was founded in 1886 by Cornelius Joshua Vanderpump who changed his name to Vander on acquiring the business of his apprenticeship masters Macrae and Goldstein. He changed the name to C.J. Vander and the business became successful supplying many of the leading retailers in London.

Joshua died in 1904 and his two sons, Henry and Alfred took over the business. The business continued to flourish and prosper until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

After the war the business again expanded and sales increased throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s with the company developing a thriving export trade to the USA.

Alfred died in 1939 and in 1941 a greater part of their new premises on Fetter Lane were destroyed by bombing. The post-war years were difficult for the silverware industry with a punitive Purchase Tax levied on their ‘luxury’ items. Fortunately, C.J. Vander were able to survive due mainly to their export business and also because they were established dealers in secondhand and antique silver.

Garrards asked C.J.Vander to produce hand-forged flatware using the unique range of pattern dies belonging to the defunct silversmith firm of Francis Higgins. C.J. Vander took on some of the former craftsmen of Higgins who passed on their skills and so helped Vander to keep a traditional craft alive.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 provided renewed drive for the silverware industry and C.J. Vander continued to flourish. In the late 1950s they moved to St. Cross Street in Hatton Garden where they remain today.