In the world of British silver, some names carry a quiet prestige: makers whose work speaks through craftsmanship and detail rather than fame. Among them are the Ward Brothers, identifiable by the maker's mark "WBs", whose pieces capture the restrained elegance of mid-century design.
The Ward Brothers were making jewelry from the late 19th century until around 1980. Dealer accounts trace their roots to Scotland, in Glasgow and Edinburgh, before the firm moved to Birmingham, the heart of Britain's jewelry manufacturing, to increase production. They became known for Scottish-themed silver jewelry, and were based on Branston Street in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.
Their silver was assayed at several offices, including Edinburgh, where pieces bear the castle mark for the city, the thistle for sterling silver and the WBs maker's mark. Not every piece is fully hallmarked, as small, light items were often exempt.
A Legacy of Design and Symbolism
The Ward Brothers produced a range of sterling silver jewelry and vanity items, with elegant proportions and subtle decoration. Their designs often blended clean, modern lines with the romantic motifs of earlier eras, such as ivy leaves, buckles, thistles and floral engraving, reflecting the mid-century fascination with Victorian revival styles.
These motifs were more than decoration. In Victorian symbolism, the ivy leaf represented eternal affection and fidelity. Read more in our guide to Victorian symbolism in jewelry.
The Enduring Appeal of Ward Brothers Silver
Today, Ward Brothers silver is admired by collectors who value authentic mid-century craftsmanship. Their work embodies post-war British design: practical, elegant and honest. These pieces were made to be cherished and handed down, bridging the sentiment of the Victorian age and the clarity of modernism.
We were delighted to have an original Ward Brothers sterling silver bangle, hallmarked Edinburgh, 1960, which has since found a new home. You can find our current antique and vintage silver below. To learn how to read the marks on your own pieces, see our guide to British hallmarks.
