Product Description
Hunt and Roskell (1843-1897) Wide 18k gold bracelet in a delicate crisscross design with woven gold borders and set with 192 cabochon turquoise jewels, original signed embossed brown leather presentation box, c. 1875
Jewellers and Goldsmiths to Queen Victoria. Successors to Mortimer & Hunt on the retirement of John Mortimer but still trading until 1876. Hunt & Roskell, a firm of manufacturing and retail jewellers and silversmiths, was founded by Paul Storr in 1819, trading as Storr & Co. (1819-1822), Storr & Mortimer (1822-1838), Mortimer & Hunt (1838-1843) and then Hunt & Roskell (1843-1897). Hunt & Roskell had retail premises at 156 New Bond Street and a manufactory at 26 Harrison Street, near Clerkenwell. John Samuel Hunt, who had assisted Storr from the start, continued as a partner until his death in 1865. J. S. Hunt was then succeeded by his son, John Hunt (d.1879). Robert Roskell, formerly a watchmaker and merchant of Liverpool, joined in 1844 and remained in the firm until his death in 1888. In 1889 the firm was taken over by J.W. Benson and continued in business as Hunt & Roskell Ltd.
Hunt and Roskell (1843-1897) Wide 18k gold bracelet in a delicate crisscross design with woven gold borders and set with 192 cabochon turquoise jewels, original signed embossed brown leather presentation box, c. 1875
Hunt and Roskell in alliance with J. W. Benson 18k gold pomander / vinaigrette in the form of an apple, Marked: 307049 (British Registration mark), J.W.B. makers mark and British gold hallmarks original red leather box, c. 1897
The Tale of the Golden Apple
It was the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (the parents of Achilles) that the Goddess Elis threw a golden apple into the assembled crowd. Upon the surface of the fruit was etched “To The Faires”. Three goddesses laid claim upon the apple; Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. It was decided by Zeus, king of the Gods, that Paris of Troy should mediate the dispute. After bathing in the spring of Mount Ida, the three presented themselves to Paris. It was decided that Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty, had the superior claim and that the golden apple belonged to her.