superdad3
master brummie
William Rolason, Jeweller of Vyse Street:
William Rolason [one L but sometimes two] was listed as a ‘manufacturing jeweller’ in Slater’s National Directory
for 1846 working from Great Hampton Row but by 1849 had moved to 81 Vyse Street and was living on the premises according to the 1851 Census.
William’s three sons John, Charles and Joseph, set up their own business "Rolason Brothers" working from 80 Vyse Street and including their father’s premises next door at 81 from around 1887. In 1887 Charles left the family partnership and set up on his own as a grocer and provision merchant! He later went bankrupt and emigrated to Australia.
John retired in 1906 but Joseph carried on the firm until 1926. They made a wide range of small silver items both for personal and table use. They must have had a prodigious output and their products are regularly seen at auction and on Ebay [over 50 items currently listed]. Very collectable. A small selection includes:
And this gem - yours for only £1535!
While the broader Rolason family operated out of several addresses on Great Hampton Street and Vyse Street, the formal headquarters for Rolason Brothers was at 81 Vyse Street, right around the corner from Great Hampton Street. Their father also operated next door at 80 Vyse Street [Google AI but I think accurate?]
On the Forum under 85 Great Hampton Street 109 appears the following which appears to confirm this
1890 Joseph George Rollason, jeweller
1892 Joseph George Rollason, jeweller & William Phillips
1899 Joseph George Rollason, jeweller
Perhaps William Phillips was a partner – certainly he was a silversmith in his own right.
This is in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and labelled by "Rollason & Phillips.
Like many folks on the Forum, I find the Jewellery Quarter fascinating and there are still many original workshops still standing.. Over 700 firms to research........................................................
William Rolason [one L but sometimes two] was listed as a ‘manufacturing jeweller’ in Slater’s National Directory
for 1846 working from Great Hampton Row but by 1849 had moved to 81 Vyse Street and was living on the premises according to the 1851 Census.
William’s three sons John, Charles and Joseph, set up their own business "Rolason Brothers" working from 80 Vyse Street and including their father’s premises next door at 81 from around 1887. In 1887 Charles left the family partnership and set up on his own as a grocer and provision merchant! He later went bankrupt and emigrated to Australia.
John retired in 1906 but Joseph carried on the firm until 1926. They made a wide range of small silver items both for personal and table use. They must have had a prodigious output and their products are regularly seen at auction and on Ebay [over 50 items currently listed]. Very collectable. A small selection includes:
And this gem - yours for only £1535!
While the broader Rolason family operated out of several addresses on Great Hampton Street and Vyse Street, the formal headquarters for Rolason Brothers was at 81 Vyse Street, right around the corner from Great Hampton Street. Their father also operated next door at 80 Vyse Street [Google AI but I think accurate?]
On the Forum under 85 Great Hampton Street 109 appears the following which appears to confirm this
1890 Joseph George Rollason, jeweller
1892 Joseph George Rollason, jeweller & William Phillips
1899 Joseph George Rollason, jeweller
Perhaps William Phillips was a partner – certainly he was a silversmith in his own right.
This is in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and labelled by "Rollason & Phillips.
Like many folks on the Forum, I find the Jewellery Quarter fascinating and there are still many original workshops still standing.. Over 700 firms to research........................................................