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.
Pair of Elizabeth II Sterling Silver Gilt Candlesticks, Stuart Devlin, 1968
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1968 by Stuart Devlin, this striking pair of Elizabeth II sterling silver candlesticks features plain cylindrical stems on spreading circular bases. Each is f...
Sterling Silver
Stuart Devlin, Sterling Silver Centrepiece, London, 1978
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1978 by Stuart Devlin, this stylish, modernist design, sterling silver centrepiece, features four holders for candles (or flowers), and a cast and gilt flower...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Epergne / Centrepiece / Vase 1911
Located in London, GB
An Antique solid Silver Epergne Centrepiece with a large oval central basket supporting a tall trumpet shaped vase on top of an impressive concave shaped stand. The central stand has...
Sterling Silver
$5,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.63 in W 4.88 in D 4.88 in
Pair of English Georgian Sterling Silver Candlesticks, 1766
Located in New York, NY
Pair of George III cast sterling silver candlesticks. Made by John Arnell in London in 1766. Each: Spool socket mounted to faceted and tapering shaft with knops and flanges; leaf-cov...
Sterling Silver
Pair of American Tiffany Sterling Silver Monkey Candlesticks
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of American Tiffany sterling silver monkey candlesticks.
Pair of Austro-Hungarian Empire Silver Candelabras, 19th Century
Located in Delft, NL
A pair of Austro-Hungarian Empire 66 cm high silver candelabras, 19th century. Beautifully decorated with grape leaf pattern with grapes on a raised ...
Silver
$89,500 / set
H 3.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Stuart Devlin Set of Twelve Silver and Silver-Gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas"
By Cartier, Stuart Devlin
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing an extraordinary and complete collection of Twelve English silver and silver-gilt "Twelve Days of Christmas" gift boxes, presented...
Sterling Silver
Candelabra Sculpture Centerpiece by Jacques Jarrige "Waves"
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Unique sculpture / candelabra in aluminum hand hammered by Jacques Jarrige. This tabletop, centerpiece can be commissioned to custom size.
Aluminum
Pair of Neoclassical Sterling Silver Column candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Neoclassical-Style, square based column candlesticks, American, Ca. 1930's. Each candlestick measures 7 1/8 inches high x 3 inches wide (at widest point acro...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Centrepiece
Located in New York, NY
This ravishing Art Nouveau silver plated centrepiece is decorated with butterflies, flowers, and budding tendrils, and retains the original applied patina and cobalt-blue-glass liner...
Silver Plate
Pair of Tall Sterling Silver Mid-Century Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, tall, Mid-Century candlesticks, Empire Silver Co., New York, Ca 1940's. Graceful in design, the column of each candlestick ends in a tulip-shaped candle cup....
Sterling Silver
$1,399
H 7.37 in Dm 3.47 in
Da Ros Cenedese Italian Yellow & Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Candlestick Holder
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare Antonio da Ros for Cenedese vintage Italian yellow uranium Murano glass candlestick stand, holder or Candelabra made circa 1960s with a blue central sphere and blue sommerso top...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century Silver Italian Candelabra Hercules & Hidra on wood base
Located in VALENZA, IT
Silver 800 candelabra. The nine-light candelabra represents Hercules to fight the Hydra. Completely handmade in casting and chisel. By ARGENTERIE DI MILANO - Fiorentini - Milan - Italy Wooden base 17,800 grams of 800 silver This item was exhibited in Turin - Reggia di Venaria - for the exhibition "Hercules and his myth" Rooms of the Arts, The Lernaean Hydra or Hydra of Lerna (Greek: Lernaîa Hýdra), more often known simply as the Hydra, was a serpentine water monster in Greek and Roman mythology. Its lair was the lake of Lerna in the Argolid, which was also the site of the myth of the Danaids. Lerna was reputed to be an entrance to the Underworld[1] and archaeology has established it as a sacred site older than Mycenaean Argos. In the canonical Hydra myth, the monster is killed by Heracles, more often known as Hercules, using...
Silver
Waypoint Centerpiece, Antique Brass, by Force/Collide
By Force/Collide
Located in Seattle, WA
The Waypoint Centerpiece is a decorative vide-poche in Force/Collide's signature design style. The dramatic lines and symmetry of this catch-all make a powerful statement for your fa...
Metal, Brass, Steel, Sheet Metal
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H 13 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
Stuart Devlin, Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Candlesticks, London, 1974
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1974 by Stuart Devlin, this wonderful pair of Sterling Silver Candlesticks, have hand forged stems, and hand made cylindrical tapered filigree shades. Each ca...
Sterling Silver
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H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Set of 4 Stuart Devlin Sterling Silver & Gilt Candlesticks 1972 Boxed Modernist
By Stuart Devlin
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Set of Antique solid Silver parcel gilt Candlesticks made in the archetypal style of Stuart Devlin. The Candlesticks have conical base and capital in highly polished si...
Sterling Silver