19th Century English Dr Christopher Dresser Citrus Squeezer By Hukin & Heath

An exceptional and rare 19th Century English silver plated cocktail citrus squeezer designed by Dr Christopher Dresser and made by Hukin & Heath. This stunning piece of antique barware is testament to Hukin & Heath’s expertise in creating silver and electroplated wares. Founded in 1855 by Jonathan Wilson Hukin and John Thomas Heath, the firm quickly rose to prominence, registering their silver marks in London by 1879 and establishing a showroom at 19 Charterhouse Street, Holborn. Their partnership with the esteemed designer Christopher Dresser, highlighted by 'The Art Journal' in 1879 for bringing an artistic scent to their showrooms, marks a pivotal moment in their history. Characterised by elegance, this lemon squeezer merges functionality with Dresser's hallmark simplicity and purity of form. It boasts a unique design with three legs, offering support for bottles, glasses, and lemons, all anchored to a large, silver-plated dish stand. The lemon flips open to reveal a wooden turn-screw which, once a half lemon is placed within and then closed again, the screw can be turned to release the juice inot a receptacle below. The piece is also marked with the registered design stamps, underscoring the quality and uniqueness of its design, and features the iconic 'H & H' alongside an eagle, signifying the firm's trademark. From 1878 to at least 1881, Hukin & Heath registered Dresser's designs, continuing to produce them well into the early 20th century. Though the firm's design books were lost before its closure in 1953, this lemon squeezer survives as a durable legacy of their collaborative success with Dresser, showcasing the fusion of beauty and practicality that characterized their output. This piece not only reflects Hukin & Heath's prowess in producing exquisite silver and electroplated goods but also their significant contribution to the Arts And Crafts movement of their era.