In the world of British silver, certain names carry quiet prestige — makers whose work speaks through craftsmanship and detail rather than signature or fame. Among them are the Ward Brothers, identifiable by the maker’s mark “WBs,” whose pieces capture the restrained elegance of mid-century design.

Formed in the early 20th century, the Ward Brothers began in Scotland, with roots in Glasgow and Edinburgh, before later relocating to Birmingham, the heart of Britain’s jewellery manufacturing. This move reflected a shift from small-scale Scottish silverwork to the more industrialised production of post-war Britain, allowing the firm to expand while maintaining the fine quality of hand-finished silver pieces that defined their name.

Their work was regularly assayed in Edinburgh, with pieces bearing the castle mark for the city, alongside the thistle for sterling silver and the WBs maker’s mark. Later, as their operations grew, the firm became associated with Branston Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, one of the most important centres for British silvermaking in the 20th century.

A Legacy of Design and Symbolism

The Ward Brothers produced a range of sterling silver jewellery and vanity items, characterised by elegant proportions and subtle decoration. Their designs often blended clean, modern lines with the romantic motifs of earlier eras — ivy leaves, buckles, and floral engravings — reflecting the mid-century fascination with Victorian revival styles.

These motifs were more than decoration. In Victorian symbolism, for instance, the ivy leaf represented eternal affection and fidelity — the enduring nature of love. Such imagery reappeared in the 1950s and 60s as Britain looked back to its past while embracing modern design.

The Enduring Appeal of Ward Brothers Silver

Today, Ward Brothers silver is admired by collectors who value authentic mid-century craftsmanship. Their work embodies the essence of post-war British design — practical, elegant, and honest. These pieces were made to be worn, cherished, and handed down, bridging the sentimentality of the Victorian age and the clarity of modernism.

At Mayveda Jewelry, we are delighted to feature an original Ward Brothers sterling silver bangle, hallmarked Edinburgh, 1960, in our collection — a timeless example of their legacy in design and craftsmanship.