Rowlands & Frazer
Rowlands & Frazer had a jewelry and silversmith shop on Regent Street in London. Little is known about their exact origins but in 1841 Christopher Rowlands & Son had a small shop located at 146 Regent Street. Here they operated as watchmakers, jewelers, and silversmiths. The company added partners and changed names during its tenancy on Regent Street and in 1860 finally became Rowlands & Frazer after the Rowland family was joined in business by Thomas Henry Frazer. Frazer registered the their makers marks in 1890. This was the same year they opened additional premises on Warwick Street just behind the Regent Street shop. The two shops and capable hands meant they could expand into diamonds and precious stones becoming both buyers and sellers. The firm continued operation until late 1905. This is when they closed their shops and decided to sell their inventory. The inventory went solely to Christie’s auction house in February the following year and was completely liquidated.
The following is information about the Rowlands submitted to us by Margaret Peebles & Margaret Stockley of New Zealand and Pauline Warren of Australia:
William Rowlands born 17th August 1791 Droitwich St Andrews near Worcester was the 3rd son of Edward (an Excise officer) & Elizabeth Rowlands from Wales. In 1807 the Family moved to London where William was apprenticed to Thomas Carpenter of Islington Rd, Middlesex.
His apprenticeship was for 7 years to learn the art of Silversmithing. Under Mr. Carpenter's tutelage he also completed a Clockmaker's 7 year apprenticeship.
In 1813 William entered his mark at the Goldsmiths Hall London. He was Master of The Clockmakers Company London in 1861 and 1867.
William Snr was a generous benefactor of the Co. On display was a beautiful engraved silver salver, an alms dish, and a silver and crystal jug and goblets which were used for ceremonial occasions. He made a generous bequest to the Watch and Clock Makers Asylum at Colney Hatch Southgate Middlesex in 1864. This money was only merged with other charity money in 1996 (132 years after its donation.).
In 1816 William Senior married Emma Cobden and they had several children. William 1821, Edward 1824, Harriet 1827, Emma1828, and Christopher. Around 1821, the family moved to 33 Lower Smith Road Northampton Square, Clerkenwell. The 1841 census shows that both William snr 45 and William Jnr 20 were residing at 33 Lowersmith Rd along with 2 other apprentices and a servant. Emma and the rest of the Family had moved to more pleasant surroundings at 6 Notting HIll Tce. By the next census the whole family was residing at Notting Hill Tce except for William JNR who shortly after the 1841 census left his apprenticeship with his Father and set sail for a new life in better living conditions.
Christopher Rowlands and Son are first recorded at 92 The Quadrant London in 1823 and from this area the Family operated a Goldsmith shop for nearly a century. A photo of the premises 1898 at 146Regent St shows 3 Royal Appointments over the front verandah. The shop was run by Christopher Rowlands William's elder brother and then in the 1850's in a partnership by William Broad, Donald, and Arthur Rowlands.
After Donald's retirement, the sign was restyled to read WB & A Rowlands. No mention of William Broad after this but Arthur continued working at the premises until his retirement in 1902. William Snr died in 1868 and is buried at Middlesex.
Thomas Henry Frazer joined the Firm in 1860 and the premises were extended through to the street directly behind the Regent St shop 28 Warwick St in 1890. Jewellry was made here, gems and precious stones cut and sold, as well as silverware etc. An ad appears on line about advertisements for victorian silversmiths. The company mark was registered 22nd April 1890, 1st April 1895, 6 Jan 1897. A similar mark
was entered at the Sheffield Assay Office 24th July 1897
In 1851 the company entered items for display at the Great Exposition and were successful in winning a medal. An item is on display in the Royal Collection Trust, an item once owned by Queen Victoria. It is called the Family Order of Alexander 1902. It is a miniature painted on ivory with a surround of diamonds and pearls made by Rowlands & Frazer. RCIN441474
Upon the retirement of Arthur Thomas Frazer continued alone until the shop closed for business in 1905. February 1906 the balance of the shop's stock was sold by auction through Christies. In 1906 the firm was acquired by Bert & Co Virgo St & Regent St.
.
William Jnr arrived in Wellington New Zealand married and had several Children, he did not practice his skills as a jeweller/silversmith but opened a successful shop and warehouse for around 30 years at Lambton Quay Wellington (then known as The Beach).. One of the children Christopher who was sent to Oxford then Germany to learn the art of Clockwork making. None of the family did not knew of the goldsmith/silversmith tradition; it has only come to light recently.
The following is information about the Rowlands submitted to us by Margaret Peebles & Margaret Stockley of New Zealand and Pauline Warren of Australia:
William Rowlands born 17th August 1791 Droitwich St Andrews near Worcester was the 3rd son of Edward (an Excise officer) & Elizabeth Rowlands from Wales. In 1807 the Family moved to London where William was apprenticed to Thomas Carpenter of Islington Rd, Middlesex.
His apprenticeship was for 7 years to learn the art of Silversmithing. Under Mr. Carpenter's tutelage he also completed a Clockmaker's 7 year apprenticeship.
In 1813 William entered his mark at the Goldsmiths Hall London. He was Master of The Clockmakers Company London in 1861 and 1867.
William Snr was a generous benefactor of the Co. On display was a beautiful engraved silver salver, an alms dish, and a silver and crystal jug and goblets which were used for ceremonial occasions. He made a generous bequest to the Watch and Clock Makers Asylum at Colney Hatch Southgate Middlesex in 1864. This money was only merged with other charity money in 1996 (132 years after its donation.).
In 1816 William Senior married Emma Cobden and they had several children. William 1821, Edward 1824, Harriet 1827, Emma1828, and Christopher. Around 1821, the family moved to 33 Lower Smith Road Northampton Square, Clerkenwell. The 1841 census shows that both William snr 45 and William Jnr 20 were residing at 33 Lowersmith Rd along with 2 other apprentices and a servant. Emma and the rest of the Family had moved to more pleasant surroundings at 6 Notting HIll Tce. By the next census the whole family was residing at Notting Hill Tce except for William JNR who shortly after the 1841 census left his apprenticeship with his Father and set sail for a new life in better living conditions.
Christopher Rowlands and Son are first recorded at 92 The Quadrant London in 1823 and from this area the Family operated a Goldsmith shop for nearly a century. A photo of the premises 1898 at 146Regent St shows 3 Royal Appointments over the front verandah. The shop was run by Christopher Rowlands William's elder brother and then in the 1850's in a partnership by William Broad, Donald, and Arthur Rowlands.
After Donald's retirement, the sign was restyled to read WB & A Rowlands. No mention of William Broad after this but Arthur continued working at the premises until his retirement in 1902. William Snr died in 1868 and is buried at Middlesex.
Thomas Henry Frazer joined the Firm in 1860 and the premises were extended through to the street directly behind the Regent St shop 28 Warwick St in 1890. Jewellry was made here, gems and precious stones cut and sold, as well as silverware etc. An ad appears on line about advertisements for victorian silversmiths. The company mark was registered 22nd April 1890, 1st April 1895, 6 Jan 1897. A similar mark
was entered at the Sheffield Assay Office 24th July 1897
In 1851 the company entered items for display at the Great Exposition and were successful in winning a medal. An item is on display in the Royal Collection Trust, an item once owned by Queen Victoria. It is called the Family Order of Alexander 1902. It is a miniature painted on ivory with a surround of diamonds and pearls made by Rowlands & Frazer. RCIN441474
Upon the retirement of Arthur Thomas Frazer continued alone until the shop closed for business in 1905. February 1906 the balance of the shop's stock was sold by auction through Christies. In 1906 the firm was acquired by Bert & Co Virgo St & Regent St.
.
William Jnr arrived in Wellington New Zealand married and had several Children, he did not practice his skills as a jeweller/silversmith but opened a successful shop and warehouse for around 30 years at Lambton Quay Wellington (then known as The Beach).. One of the children Christopher who was sent to Oxford then Germany to learn the art of Clockwork making. None of the family did not knew of the goldsmith/silversmith tradition; it has only come to light recently.
