MARK OF GILBERT MARKS, LONDON, 1900, SIGNED AND DATED 1900

Gilbert Leigh Marks (1861-1905) was born into a family with artistic and commercial traditions. His grandfather was a jeweller. In 1878 Marks joined a firm of silversmiths as a clerk, possibly Holland, Aldwinckle and Slater. In 1885 he joined the wool merchants Masurel & Fils (still extant, as Segard Masurel) rising to become a manager.
In 1895 he had an exhibition at Johnson, Walker and Tolhurst at 80 Aldergate Street, London, the first of what would become an annual event running until 1901. His work was glowingly reviewed in The Morning Post in 1898: 'Mr Marks is one of those who by their persevering efforts during the last few years have succeeded in reviving interest in silver decoration worked after the manner of the craftsmen of the past. Machinery plays no part in the production of the beautiful objects; they are all the result of pure handcraft... It is impossible to overstate the individuality of Mr Mark's designs, which are original and often highly pleasing.' In an interview with The Artist that same year (p. 137-138), Marks declared: 'I do the design myself and never produce a duplicate'.
In the initial period of collaboration with Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst, the objects bore their sponsor's mark and had Marks' signature. Although Gilbert Marks registered his own maker's mark of 'GM' at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1896, he continued working with Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst holding his exhibitions at their showrooms. The earliest recorded piece bearing Marks' signature dates from 1895⁄6 and the latest from 1902.
Gilbert Marks' death in 1905 was recorded with an obituary in The Burlington Magazine (vol. 7, no. 27): 'an artist of delicate grace and charm, whose name will probably take high rank in the estimation of the collector and connoisseur.'