19th century Australian silver by Henry Steiner, Adelaide

J. Henry Steiner was a German-born silversmith and jeweller who lived from 1835 to 1914. He immigrated to Adelaide, Australia, in 1858 and set up his own business in 1860. Steiner was a prolific silversmith and exhibited his work at many major exhibitions in Australia and overseas. His work was popular with both the wealthy and the middle classes, and he produced a wide range of items, including jewelry, silverware, and objets d'art.

Steiner's work was influenced by both European and Australian design traditions. He was particularly known for his use of Australian native flowers and animals in his designs. He also experimented with new techniques, such as electroplating and enamelling.

Steiner's business was successful, but he suffered a number of personal setbacks in the late 1880s. These included the death of his wife and two children in a typhoid epidemic, the collapse of several Australian more... banks in which he had invested, and a severe economic downturn. As a result, Steiner sold his business in 1884 and returned to Germany. He returned to Adelaide in 1887, but left again two years later and returned to Germany, where he lived until his death.

Steiner was a talented silversmith and jeweller who made a significant contribution to the development of Australian decorative arts. His work is still highly regarded by collectors today. less...