
Kate Flitcroft
Co-Head of Department UK
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Co-Head of Department UK

Co-Head of Department UK
Phillips Brothers, founded by Robert Phillips (1810-1881), was one of the most prominent and inventive British jewellers working in the fashionable revivalist style. The firm produced jewels in ancient Greek, Roman, Scandinavian, Byzantine, Renaissance, Assyrian, Indian and Egyptian taste as well as mounting engraved gems for customers in the tradition of 19th century Italian jewellers.
Mrs Haweis in the chapter "Modern Jewellery" in her book "The Art of Beauty" (1878), described the "artistic appreciation of good forms and good work" by Messrs Phillips of Cockspur Street, going on to say: "The most perfect models are sought for the ornaments they furnish. Museums and picture galleries are ransacked for devices.."
Craftsmen employed by the firm included Carlo Giuliano and Carlo Doria and the Castellani workshops in Rome and Naples were visited. Robert Phillips was the only English jeweller to be awarded a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1867.
The firm, once located at 31 Cockspur Street, moved to 23 Cockspur Street in 1855 and became known as Phillips Brothers & Son in 1869. The firm bears a distinctive mark of backed Ps with the Prince of Wales's feathers, acknowledging the patronage of the Prince and Princess.