Edward Barnard and Sons was a firm of British silversmiths. They created the Lily font, a large silver gilt baptismal font used in the christening services of members of the British Royal family. The company's origins date back to about 1680, when the silversmith Anthony Nelme (d. 1722) established a firm in Ave Maria Lane, London. Edward Barnard (d. 1855) was first manager and in 1829 became the proprietor, trading as Edward Barnard & Sons, with his sons Edward Barnard (d. 1868), John Barnard and William Barnard (d. 1851). In 1838, they moved to Angel Street, London. The Lily font was commissioned by

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days was longer than that of any previo ...

from Edward Barnard and Sons, for the christening of her first child,

Victoria, Princess Royal Victoria, Princess Royal (Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa; 21 November 1840 – 5 August 1901) was German Empress and Queen of Prussia as the wife of German Emperor Frederick III. She was the eldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingd ...

on 10 February 1840, her parents' first wedding anniversary. In 1898, they moved to Fetter Lane, and in 1920, to

Hatton Garden Hatton Garden is a street and commercial zone in the Holborn district of the London Borough of Camden, abutting the narrow precinct of Saffron Hill which then abuts the City of London. It takes its name from Sir Christopher Hatton, a favouri ...

, London. In 1977, they became a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham, and closed in 2003.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edward Barnard and Sons 1680s establishments in England 2003 disestablishments in England British silversmiths Companies based in the London Borough of Camden