18TH AND 19TH CENTURY CANADIAN SILVERSMITHS and Marks
(For information on 20th century makers see our dedicated article.)
The Evolution of Canadian Silver Production (1700s–1800s)
French Colonial Period (pre-1760):
Silversmithing was an established craft in New France as early as the late 17th century, though examples of this initial work do not survive today. By the mid-18th century, the trade was well-developed, with its center primarily located in Quebec City.
The Catholic Church was the most significant patron of the arts, leading to a focus on ecclesiastical objects, while domestic silver from this era remains relatively rare. Silversmiths strictly adhered to the prevailing styles and marking conventions of France: marks typically featured a crown or Fleur-de-lis positioned above the maker’s initials, often accompanied by a small device below.
English Colonial Period (post-1760):
Following the British conquest, Montreal gradually eclipsed Quebec as the primary hub of silversmithing, though active makers could also be found in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. English styles became the prevailing aesthetic, and marking conventions shifted to the English model: typically featuring the maker’s initials in a rectangular outline. These marks were occasionally accompanied by location names (e.g., “Montreal,” “Quebec,” or “H,” “HN,” or “HNS” for Halifax). By the early 19th century, it was common for Canadian silversmiths to incorporate pseudo marks—symbols that visually resembled British hallmarks, such as the sovereign’s head or the lion passant. These silversmiths generally operated small, specialized workshops, performing the majority of their work by hand. They were less likely to employ the expensive casting and die-stamping methods common in European factories.
Metal Purity and Source:
There was no official government regulation of metal purity in Canada until the early 20th century. Since silver was not mined in Canada until the late 19th century, silversmiths relied on available metal sources, including melted coins and unwanted silverware.
It is noteworthy that the English and French coins in circulation at the time contained a slightly higher silver content—.925 and .917 respectively—compared to the Spanish coins frequently used for silver production in the United States.
MARKS A – K
Laurent Amoit – Quebec City (active 1787-1839)
Highly influential and prolific maker. Apprenticed in Paris. Received many major commissions from the Roman Catholic church and the Quebec aristocracy. Works are held in the National Gallery of Canada and the V&A Museum. Amiot had several apprentices including Francios Sasseville, Pierre Lesperance and Paul Morin. For more on Amoit see the National Gallery of Canada.
John Barry – St John, NB (1838-1857).
Henry Birks & Sons – Montreal (1879 – ) Retail Jewellers and Silversmiths, began manufacturing silverware in 1899 after taking over Hendery & Leslie. See a more detailed bio here.
David Bohle – Montreal (?-1870) Brother of Peter Bohle.
Peter Bohle – Montreal (1786 – 1865) Apprenticed to Robert Cruickshank in 1800, partnered with Robert Hendery 1853 -1856, supplied many Montreal retailers.
Bohle & Hendery – Montreal (1850-56) Partnership of Peter Bohle and Robert Hendery, manufacturing silversmiths that supplier many Montreal Retailers.
Michael Septimus Brown – Halifax NS (1818-1886) Apprenticed to Peter Nordbeck, the firm became MS Brown & Co in 1886 and was absorbed by Birks in 1919.
Robert Cruickshank – Montreal (1767-1809).
A prominent and highly successful Scottish immigrant. Known for prolific output in Indian Trade Silver, ecclesiastical pieces, and domestic silver in the Neoclassical style.
George Lacy Darling – Simcoe, On (1852-1899) Retail Jeweller.
Charles François Delique – Montreal (1738-1767).
James E Ellis – Toronto (1848-1871) Succeeded by JE Ellis & Co (1871-1901) his nephews Phillip and Matthew Ellis founded PW Ellis & Co (1876-1928).
Robert Hendery with retail mark of JE Ellis
Michel Fortin Montreal (1754-1812).
Goldsmiths Stock Co. of Canada – Toronto (1880-1920) Retailer.
A & J Hay - Partnership of Albert S Hay and John M Hay, working silversmiths in Saint John, New Brunswick (1869-1877).
Robert Hendery - (Montreal, 1814-1897) was a significant and prolific silversmith, recognized for his work in the Rococo Revival style. He immigrated from Scotland in 1837, briefly partnered with Peter Bohle (1850-1856), and took John Leslie as an apprentice in 1864. The firm's name changed to Hendery and Co in 1869 and then to Hendery & Leslie in 1887 when Leslie became a partner.
Continued - Primarily a wholesale manufacturer, Hendery supplied flatware and hollowware to numerous retailers and jewellers across the country. His pseudo marks (a lion rampant facing left and a sovereign’s head facing right) can be found alongside the marks of many different retailers, including Savage & Lyman, Gustavus Siefert, and Frederick Spanenberg.
Hendery & Leslie – Montreal (1887-1897) Partnership of Robert Hendery & John Leslie, bought out by Birks in 1897. Leslie remained with Birks to run the manufacturing business.
Pierre Huguet dit Latour – Montreal (1749-1817) Prolific silversmith of the period know for supplying large quantities of Indian Trade Silver, may have been primarily a retailer. Partnered with his brother Louis and later his son Pierre. Started business in 1781.
Henry Jackson – Toronto (1837-69)
Jodah G. Joseph – Toronto (1846-57) Succeeded by JG Joseph & Co (1857-77).
Amboise Lafrance -Quebec City (1822-1918), Apprecticed to Francois Sassevile
MARKS L – Z
Lash & Co. - Toronto, Ontario (c. 1865).
John Leslie – Ottawa (1848-95) Retailer, his retail mark shown here with maker’s mark of Robert Hendery. Not to be confused with John Leslie of Montreal who was Hendery’s partner.
Pierre Lesperance - Quebec City (1819-1882) Respected silversmith, apprenticed to Laurent Amiot.
Salomon Marion - Montreal (1782-1830) Another good maker, active 1815-30. Apprenticed to Pierre Huguet dit Latour.
Paul Morand - Montreal (1775-1856) A successful silversmith who was apprenticed to Pierre Huguet dit Latour in 1802. This mark has also be attributed to Paul Morin – Quebec City (1775-1816+) Apprenticed to Laurent Amiot in 1792.
John Munro - Saint John New Brunswick, working approximately 1819-1874.
John Munro - Saint John New Brunswick, working approximately 1819-1874.
William Herman Newman - Working silversmith from Halifax, Nova Scotia (1826-1894).
Peter Nordbeck – Halifax (1789-1861) Born and trained in Germany, settled in Halifax in 1819. Nordbeck and Co was established in 1827.
Richard Kestell Oliver – Working silversmith in Toronto, Ontario. (1843-1860).
Charles Olmstead – Ottawa (1890-1903) Retailer.
James Orkney – Quebec City (1791-1826)
Amos Page – Amherst NS (1803-95)
Page Brothers – St John NB (1850-70) Richard and Clement Page, sons of Amos.
François Ignace Ranvoyzé – Quebec City (1739-1819) Respected and prolific silversmith, was apprenticed to Francois Delzenne, Laurent Amiot was apprentice to him briefly.
Joseph Robinson & Co – Toronto (1859-80).
Francois Sasseville - Quebec City (1797-1864) Important and prolific maker, trained by Laurent Amiot and eventually took over Amiot’s business in 1839. His pieces can be found in the National Gallery of Canada, the ROM and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
George Savage – Montreal (1767-1845) Immigrated to Montreal from England in 1818, primarily a retailer.
George Savage and Son – Montreal (1828-1851) Prolific retailers of silverware, known to have been supplied by Peter Bohle.
Savage & Lyman – Montreal (1851-67) Partnership between Joseph Savage (son of George) and Theodore Lyman. Prolific retailers of silverware, known to have been supplied by Bohle & Hendery in partnership and subsequently Robert Hendery. Succeeded by Savage Lyman & Co (1868-79).
George Spangenberg – Kingston (1845-70).
Edmund Lloyd Spike – Halifax (1837-1900).
Jacques Varin dit Latour – Montreal (1736-91).
William Veith – Halifax (1827-1900) Active 1847-54.
William Venning – St John NB (1813-71).
Nelson Walker – Montreal active 1826-1855.
Daniel Warlock – St John NB (1819-1901).
John Wood & Son - Montreal (1844-70)
Robert Hendery with the retail mark of John Wood & Son.