Fabulous Art Nouveau Hukin & Heath Automated Silver Plated Etched Glass Preserve Jar with Silver Preserve Spoon

This stunning and rare silver plated articulated preserve jar bears the marks of the reputed Hukin & Heath* and was made circa 1900. The etched glass panelled body mounted with a mechanical silver plated lid. The lid and swing handle allow for the jar to be opened using only one hand. This clever mechanism was created by Hukin & Heath in 1898, granted Patent No. 5518 and produced between 1898 and 1904. It comes with a matching preserve spoon bearing the marks of the Barker Brothers and dated Chester 1907. The glass body beautifully etched with a sinuous flower, very much in the Art Nouveau manner. *The firm of Hukin & Heath (1855-1953) was established by Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath as manufacturing silversmiths and electroplaters. They entered silver marks in London in 1879. The firm is renowned for its collaboration with Dr Christopher Dresser. Its showrooms were described as 'redolent of art', while the art works were produced without increasing the cost, exhibiting 'grace combined with the useful, simplicity and purity of form with readiness of application to the purposes to which they are to be applied'. Hukin & Heath's trade mark comprised the initials 'H & H' with an eagle; they registered designs by Dresser from 1878 until at least 1881 and the models were produced into the early 1900s Hallmarks: Electroplated marks H&H for Hukin & Heath. Serial number 17760 Patent number 5518