Special pendant marks 150th anniversary for city jeweller

H L Brown was founded in 1861 when Harris Leon Brown arrived in Sheffield from Poland. The company has since gone on to open stores across the region.

Yesterday, Harris’s great, great grandson, James Frampton, who is the company’s current managing director and the fifth generation of the family to run the business, unveiled the commemorative piece.

Speaking at the firm’s flagship shop in Sheffield’s Barkers Pool, Mr Frampton said: “One hundred and fifty years trading is a big achievement for any business in this day and age, especially a family-focused one.

“H L Brown is a unique brand as we have always focused on family values, working hard to provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in all our stores.

“We wanted to mark our 150th anniversary with something special and were keen to design something which accurately represented our illustrious history – which of course did start in Sheffield.”

The pendant was designed by Sheffield Hallam University graduate Stefan Tooke and, according to the designer, was inspired by the figure of the Roman god Vulcan, which stands at the pinnacle of Sheffield Town Hall’s bell tower, which is just a few yards from the company’s shop.

H L Brown said the pendant shows flames channelled inwards and outwards to depict Vulcan’s status as the god of both beneficial and hindering fire.

Only 250 of the pieces, which are made of silver and silver gilt, have been made.