Stuart Devlin was a mid-century modern Australian metalworker whose sparkling creations showcased the luster of silver. He used techniques like filigree and gilding to make a range of sterling silver serveware and decorative sculptures.
Devlin was born in Geelong, Victoria, in 1931. From 1951 to 1955, he taught gold and silversmithing in the town of Wangaratta. He went on to study at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1957 and earned a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London in 1958. Devlin was awarded a two-year Harkness Fellowship by the Commonwealth Fund, which he used to spend time at Columbia University in New York City.
After returning to Melbourne, he won a competition to design Australian coinage in 1964. His initials are still on the 1966 Australian 50-cent coin. A year later, he moved back to London and opened a workshop. There, he began producing limited-edition Christmas boxes and Easter eggs, which continue to be highly prized by collectors. Devlin also took commissions for coins and medals from countries around the world. From 1979 to 1985, he operated a popular showroom on London’s Conduit Street.
Devlin was widely acclaimed and recognized for his work over his long career. In 1982, he was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweler to Her Majesty the Queen. From 1996 to 1997, he served as the Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company. In 2000, he designed a coin series for the Summer Olympics in Sydney.
Devlin retired to Littlehampton, West Sussex, where he died in 2018 at the age of 86. As described in his obituary in The Guardian, Devlin sought to bring “delight, surprise, intrigue and even amusement” to modern style.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Stuart Devlin serveware, decorative objects and more.
$2,275Sale Price|30% Off
H 2.76 in W 1.78 in D 1.78 in
Brushed silver egg with a clown and circus dog inside, Fabergé style
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Brushed gilded silver egg with a clown and circus dog inside, Fabergé style. Metal: Silver. Origin: English. Brand: London. Weight: 131.32 grams. Dimensions: 4.5cm x 7cm...
Silver
$145
H 4.75 in W 3 in D 3 in
Vintage "Clown" Silver Plated Still Bank. Lunt Silver Co. Massachusetts Ca. 1965
By Lunt Silver
Located in Incline Village, NV
Silver plated vintage still bank, circa 1960's, depicting a clown with ruffled collar, big belly, and fine facial details. Produced by the "Lunt Sil...
Silver Plate
$287Sale Price|52% Off
H 2.37 in W 1.97 in D 2.37 in
Apple-shaped gilded silver box with reliefs on the hinged lid
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Apple-shaped gilded silver box with reliefs on the hinged lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: German. Brand: Unknown. Weight: 91.41 grams. Dimensions: 6cmx5cm. Content: 800/1000...
Silver
Stuart Devlin vintage limited edition silver gilt Surprise Gift
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Braintree, GB
Stuart Devlin vintage limited edition silver gilt Surprise Gift '' Christmas carol themed ' . Made in England, London, 1973 Numbered 210/500 Fully hallmarked. Design: The figure depicts a charming, character-driven scene: A thin, whimsical character carrying a golden goose over his back, (possibly inspired by "Jack and the Beanstalk" or "The Golden Goose"). The figure is holding a small silver pail...
Silver
Silver Plated "Super Egg" by Piet Hein
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A silver-plated brass "Super Egg" container and sculpture.
Metal
Bugbear Coconut Tea Caddy on Silver Dolphin Base
Located in Dallas, TX
A Bugbear coconut tea caddy mounted on a silver dolphin base. Bugbear coconuts were carved by sailors on long voyages in the 18th and early 19th centur...
Silver
20th Century Stuart Devlin Solid Silver Cigar Ashtray, c.1972
By Stuart Devlin
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Modern 20th Century Stuart Devlin solid silver gilt cigar ashtray, the textured surface with an organically formed border, the plain bowl resting on a circular foot. Hallmarked Engli...
Silver
$2,275Sale Price|30% Off
H 2.76 in W 1.78 in D 1.78 in
Brushed silver egg with gold-plated frog and gold flower inside, Fabergé style
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Brushed silver egg with gold-plated frog and gold flower inside, Fabergé style. Metal: Silver. Origin: English. Brand: London. Weight: 105.51 grams. Dimensions: 4.5cmx7c...
Silver
$1,895
H 6.5 in Dm 5.5 in
Anthony Redmile London ( Attrib) Silver & Gilt Mounted Circular Egg Shell Box
By Anthony Redmile London
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Anthony Redmile London (Attributed) Silver & Gilt Mounted Circular Eggshell Table Box A striking example of late 20th-century English decorative design, this sculptural ostrich...
Metal
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
H 7.49 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Silver toothpick holder with three shell-shaped holders
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver toothpick holder with three shell-shaped supports, four swans decorate the leaves where a spherical figure rests. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Mark: Absent....
Silver
Indian Shiva Mukhalingam Brass Alloy Human Face Cover
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique Indian Shiva Mukhalingam made from a brass alloy and formed as a human face dating from the 18th century. The Shiva Mukhalingam has a single face (some come with four or ...
Brass
Antique Brass Handled Aspersory Holy Water Container
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique brass handled aspersory or holy water container dating from the 18th or 19th century. Probably British, the aspersory is made in solid b...
Brass
Antique Brass Table Vesta with Novelty Enameled Figure
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual antique brass table vesta or nib holder decorated with a novelty black enamel figure of a boy diving on the ground dating from the 19th ...
Brass, Enamel
Head Of Steps Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture by John Farnham
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Head of Steps is created in a limited-edition bronze modeled as of abstract circular form combining two rounded elements, one raised on two stylized with a carved-out design and rece...
Slate, Bronze
Antique Indian Silver Double Ended Spirit Measure with Dancing Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good quality antique Indian silver double ended spirit measure or Jigger decorated with Krishna style dancing figures in relief and dating from the latter 19th or early 20th centur...
Silver
Arts & Crafts Brass Lidded Box Decorated with Tree Designs
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and quality Arts & Crafts lidded brass box decorated in low relief with stylized tree designs and dating from around 1900. This well-made quality box is of rectangula...
Brass
When it comes to the legendary French design house, there is no substitute for true craftsmanship. Xupes shows us how to spot it.
1stDibs dealers discuss the challenges of this unprecedented time, and the signs of hope.
