William Edwards, 1859-1965, Melbourne 19th/20th century silversmith

William Edwards was born in 1819 in London where he joined the family business and trained as a silversmith. He migrated to Melbourne in 1857 and set up a business in Collins Street, later moving to Collins Street East where sold silver wares, either made in his workshop or imported from London.

Edwards’ workshop excelled in the production of silver-mounted emu egg trophies, and is known for making the earliest surviving piece; a covered cup presented in 1859 to a Melbourne University scholar by his students. His workshop also produced a number of silver pieces, occasional gold trophies and epergnes, some of which were displayed in many international exhibitions. Edwards also completed major commissions such as the gifts for Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, which then earned him an appointment as goldsmith and jeweller of the Duke’s household.

He displayed his work at the International Exhibition in 1861, more... and the Inter-colonial Exhibition in 1866 and 1867; both held in Melbourne. He also ran a business in Melbourne which supplied silverware to major retailers until about 1872. Between 1873 and 1892, Edwards partnered with Alexander Kaul, who had come to Australia from England in 1852. Edwards continued working at his Collins Street East premises until 1876

William Edwards died in 1889 in Melbourne. less...