History
The Hancocks’ story began over 150 years ago. Its first home was the corner of Bruton and Bond Street and the fledging firm soon acquired a magnificent reputation, becoming a leading centre for the purchase of fine jewels and silver.
Documented in a company diary, we learn that less than a year after his business had been established; Mr C.F Hancock received a warrant of appointment from Queen Victoria. She and many of the principle sovereigns of Europe became regular patrons.
In 1856, Hancocks was instructed to produce the Queen’s new medal, the Victoria Cross. This is an honour upheld by the firm today.
Hancocks has proved itself a robust and successful business surviving all the 20th century could throw at it including robberies, depressions and of course, two world wars. As Charlotte Gere observes in ‘The Master Jewellers’, ‘Hancocks have survived the upheavals of the present century while some once more celebrated firms have disappeared.’
HANCOCKS TODAY
Today the company is still family owned. Stephen and Janie Burton bought the business in 1992 and moved Hancocks into its current location in the Burlington Arcade.
The collection now includes some of the finest examples of jewellery from antique to retro and we offer our clients jewels from all the great houses. Currently, a visitor to the Hancocks’ gallery will be treated to a range of splendid jewellery from an Art Nouveau Dragon by world renowned jeweller Fouquet to an Edwardian diamond and pearl choker by American firm Black, Starr and Frost; and a cluster of rare Archaeological Revival jewels from fascinating houses Castellani, Giuliano and Wièse. Hancocks also house dazzling Art Deco jewels from the big players of the time Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Dusausoy, Janesich, Lacloche: the list goes on.
On occasion Hancocks even find themselves stocking their own antique pieces; for example, an Egyptian Revival necklace bought by the Prince of Wales for his mistress, Lillie Langtry circa 1870 found its way back into the collection in 2009.
Hancocks also offers an exciting range of retro jewellery; funky, chunky and unexpected of an antique jeweller. It includes pieces previously owned by Joan Crawford, Elton John and Diana Dors. It is easy to see why many of the world’s most amazing pieces pass through the Hancocks’ collection and at any time the Mayfair windows will dazzle even the most enthusiastic connoisseur.
Amassing a collection such as this is no mean feat and Hancocks travels far and wide to seek out the best, using years of experience to determine what gets included. Nowhere else would you be able to find a concentration of design, quality and rarity in such abundance.
Hancocks is like a museum except with one huge advantage; the display is constantly changing and if you have the means, you can take the pieces away with you!
Hancock’s original premises
Original silver and jewellery showroom
Hancock’s premises at the corner of
Vigo and Sackville Streets