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Hello to the forum

I have a case that contains silver pieces by the Pittway Brothers. I have been researching these silversmiths and have found out their address, dates etc, but I am getting confused over a matter:
Their company was said to have been taken over by Tween and Purnell in 1861, yet Pittway Brother signed pieces are in evidence after 1861 and all the way through the latter part of the 19th century. I have also found that someone called William Norman Marshall was using the Pittway Brothers name up until around 1915.
Does anyone know more about the Pittway Brothers' history after 1861?

With thanks to all

S

Hi Mrs Hedge,

Welcome to the Forum.

Pittway Brothers, thought to have been established in 1784, and subsequently by John and William Pittway, was acquired in c.1861 by William Tween and Frederick Purnell, who continued to run the business under it's former name. By the late 1860's, William Tween had left the business, leaving Frederick Purnell to continue alone.


Pittway Brothers - London - 1899

Trev.

Hello Trev

Thank you for shedding light on this matter, I was struggling to make sense of the dates. Odd how the business was established so early - I wonder if it was a family link?

Interestingly, 11 silver pieces have the IP/WP mark, and one matching piece has the mark FP. Although identical to the other pieces, this one dates to 8 years later. I assume FP is for Frederick Purnell then? Do you know if FP remained at the 25 Hatton Garden address after Tween left?

With thanks Trev

S

Hi S,

Apologies for the delayed reply.

The 'FP' mark is likely to be that of Frederick Purnell, but images will required to give a positive Identification.

When Purnell and Tweed took over the business, it was located at 4, Kirby Street. Sometime between 1864 and 1897 the business relocated to 23, Hatton Garden.

Trev.