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The Encyclopedia of Horology

London, United Kingdom

Hunt and Roskell

Partially verified

Manufacturing and retail jewellers, goldsmiths, and silversmiths

History

The firm originated from the workshop established by Paul Storr in 1819, which underwent a series of partnerships including Storr & Mortimer and Mortimer & Hunt.

In 1843, the business was renamed Hunt & Roskell following the entry of Robert Roskell Jr. into the partnership with John Samuel Hunt and John Hunt. The company maintained a flagship showroom at 156 New Bond Street and a significant manufactory at 26 Harrison Street, employing up to 100 craftsmen. Throughout the Victorian era, the firm gained prestige as silversmiths and jewellers to Queen Victoria and exhibited at international events such as the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Following the death of key partners, the firm was acquired by J.W. Benson in 1889 and continued to operate as Hunt & Roskell Ltd until the mid-20th century.

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Current watchmaking & later fate

  • The firm is no longer in business, having ceased operations as Hunt & Roskell Ltd around 1965.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Known markings

  • The firm utilized a crowned maker's mark to signify its status as silversmiths and jewellers to the Queen.

Serial numbers

No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Hunt and Roskell. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • A moving magnet galvanometer by Hunt and Roskell in a sloped wooden housing, featuring a dial inscribed with instructions regarding the hourly needle deflection.
  • Front view of the gilt-brass clock showing the engraved floral dial, Roman numeral chapter ring, and case finials

Sources & references

  1. Collections Online | British Museum, British Museum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. chronometer watch; watch-case; presentation-box; tourbillon watch | British Museum, British Museum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. Moving magnet galvanometer with dial inscribed "Greenwich Mean Time", 1843-1897 | Science Museum Group Collection, Science Museum Group, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  4. Watchmaker: Robert Roskell - Pocket watch - British, Liverpool - The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  5. Hunt and Roskell - Graces Guide, Grace's Guide, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  6. Hunt & Roskell Silversmiths Jewellers - Mark Goodger Antiques, markgoodger.co.uk, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.