Albert Edward Jones

Albert Edward Jones is a notable maker of silverware due to his specific style of craftsmanship, which was firmly rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement. His work is highly collectable, and is very distinctive due to his unwavering and unique style of silverware.

Despite being recognised as an important silversmith and craftsman, many unmarked pieces are often misattributed to A. E. Jones, due to the pieces being created in a similar style.

"A piece of silverwork, to be really interesting, must be endued with a Spirit of Art." A. E. Jones 1906

Albert Edward Jones was born into a family with a long tradition of craftsmanship, dating back to 1780. A. E. Jones’ formal training took place at the Birmingham School of Art, and there he was trained under an Edward R. Taylor.

It was here that he came to meet and work with a selection of purveyors of the Arts and Crafts Movement such as Arthur Dixon, Bernard Cuzner and Arthur Gaskin. Jones was also a member of the Guildsman of the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft for a time, and here was further influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Having worked in his father’s premises, he then founded A. E. Jones & Co. in Birmingham in 1902, and the company produced items of silverware, as well as pieces in copper, brass and bronze. Frequently, his copper pieces were given a patina via the process established by F.W. Salthouse in the late 1800s.

Many of his items combine these metals to stunning visual effect, and differentiate him from many other makers. Large quantities of these pieces were unmarked, save for a sporadic pattern number, and are distinguished by their unusual style and design.

His workshop’s success grew, due in no small part to the addition of many skilled craftsmen and designers who also were motivated by the ethos and message of the arts and crafts movement.

In 1905 A. E. Jones & Co. acquired Jesson Birkett & Co. Ltd., and during this period Anne Grisdale Stubbs - who was a silversmith and a gold medallist at the Birmingham School or Art – contributed a great deal to the ornamentation which is evident on many of the items created within the company.

One of the most distinguishing features of A. E. Jones’ work is that it incorporates ecclesiastical themes and motifs, which undoubtedly is rooted in his apprenticeship with the metalworkers, Woodward's of Paradise Street and Hardman Powell, who created a multitude of items of silver and metal ware for varying religious organisations and establishments.

Here at AC Silver we are pleased to be able to offer our customers spectacular example of this highly important and influential silversmith and maker, who was instrumental in defining and perfecting the sought after Arts and Crafts style.