Even if you have a passing interest in fine silver collectables, you would recognise the Fleur de Lys stamped packaging of a Frazer and Haws silver product. The 250-year-old British heritage brand has comfortably created a niche for itself when it comes to fine-quality handcrafted silver items.
With a client roster that boasts of the who’s who of the world, think the royal family of England and Elton John, the brand is known for its exquisite quality and design. The founding partners John Frazer and Edward Haws established it as a workshop for renowned silversmith David Hennell in 1736. Ever since then, Frazer and Haws has become synonymous with high-quality, meticulously-crafted silverware.
But how has the brand maintained the same quality that impressed Queen Victoria in 1895, when she was presented with a silver tea set from F&H, till now? The answer is simple: A coterie of craftsmen who have had the skills passed down through generations.
In a workshop nestled amidst the bustle of Delhi University’s North Campus, artists work their magic by transforming silver sheets into the coveted collectables that we know and love. The lush green four-acre compound in the capital city has artists working on formless silver sheets and other materials to slowly shape them into beautiful silverware that is fit for royalty.
One thing that immediately becomes clear when you take a look at the workshop is that F&H places strong value behind the process that goes into the creation of its silverware. The artists are kitted with state-of-the-art tools and machinery to assist them in showcasing the best of their crafts. This is, perhaps, why they stand out amongst its ilk and create an end product that’s pure in quality and unparalleled in craftsmanship. For instance, the F&H craftsmen use a silver solder, as opposed to the lead solders which are an unofficial industry standard.
F&H is also one of the pioneers of mixing materials when it comes to crafting silver. The artists experiment and pair the metal with other materials like stone and wood to create a versatile range of products. Because of this, the F&H workshop not only has silversmiths but a group of artists who are skilled in working with other materials as well.
Knowing the commitment to quality and the brand’s championing of traditional craftsmanship makes the stunning silver collectables even more special. So, the next time you’re thinking of presenting a loved one with a special memento, then you know where you can find the best of quality in material and craftsmanship.
Disclaimer: This article has been written in association with Frazer and Haws.
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