The British jewellery house of Child & Child was one of the most distinctive and foremost creators of Art Nouveau and Edwardian Jewels. Founded by two brothers, Walter (1840-1930) and younger brother Harold 1848-1915) who having benefited from a substantial inheritance opened a business in 1880 at 1 Seville Street, Knightsbridge, London. Both men were cultured and artistic and appreciated individual craftmanship. In 1891 the firm moved to South Kensington and it was there that they started to produce jewellery that would establish their name.

Their early pieces were of Neo-Classical taste and they began to perfect the use of enamelled gold. The company also made and sold domestic silver. They designed pieces that incorporated translucent enamel of typical blueish green hues and subjects such as butterflies, wings, hearts, flowers and buckles. Their unique trademark was a stamped sunflower between two Cs.

 The firm’s patrons included Queen Victoria, Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, Sir Edwin Lutyens.  the Pre-Raphaelite artists William Holman Hunt and Sir Edward Burne-Jones who became a frequent visitor to their premises commissioning the company to manufacture various jewels of his own design. Burne-Jones was also influential in encouraging the brothers to create jewels that were distinctive and would evoke the spirit of the firm. In particular, a series of jewels that represented an angel’s spread wings would prove extremely popular and were typical of Pre-Raphaelite iconography.

One of Child & Child's signature elements was its meticulous attention to detail, evident in every piece they crafted. Their jewellery exuded a sense of fluidity, as if each piece had been plucked from a dreamy, natural realm. The use of sinuous lines and motifs inspired by flora and fauna made their creations unmistakably Art Nouveau. 

Child & Child's dedication to quality and creativity did not go unnoticed. They received acclaim and admiration from both connoisseurs and fellow craftsmen. Their jewellery graced the collections of discerning patrons and became highly sought-after pieces, cherished for their aesthetic allure and timeless elegance.

Sadly in 1889 the partnership was dissolved leaving Harold to run the company on his own. Harold continued trading until his death in 1915.

 Child & Child's contribution to the Art Nouveau movement remains an essential chapter in the history of jewellery design. Their dedication to pushing the boundaries of convention and their ability to infuse artistic beauty into every piece they created continue to inspire and captivate generations of jewellery enthusiasts worldwide.