- 1885 - Opening of the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit, which offers strong-room
facilities mainly to London’s wealthy elite, in order to safeguard their household silver, jewellery and personal items.
- 1887 - Expansion of the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit. An advertisement in
the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News of July 2nd 1887 states that, "The institution has recently been much enlarged to meet the demand and now contains about 10,000 safes and strong-rooms."
(click on image opposite)
- 1887-1939 - The business remains the same for several years. However many
of the original clientele are replaced by silver dealers who required secure premises for their valuable stock. This need is made more pressing by the outbreak of the Second
World War.
- 25 September 1940 - During World War II the building above the vaults is struck
directly with a bomb. Although the Vaults themselves are solid enough to withstand the assault, there is substantial water damage.
- 1953 - The new London Silver Vaults emerges from the debris.
- 1954 - Raymond Feldman begins his apprenticeship at a wholesale trading
vault.
- 1958 - The company R. Feldman Ltd is established, supplying the London trade.
- 1977 - Raymond Feldman and his son Michael open their first retail and trading
vault.
- 1980 - The company move to larger retail and trading premises at Vaults 4
and 6 at the London Silver Vaults.
- 1984 - An increasing demand from overseas visitors seeking quality silver at
competitive prices results in an expansion of worldwide exports. Christopher Turner joins the company as Export Manager after more than 10 years experience running shipping departments and antique showrooms in
London’s Bond Street W1.
- 1991 - Michael Feldman establishes Argenteus Ltd at Vault 2, The London
Silver Vaults to run alongside R. Feldman Ltd.
- 1993 - Argenteus Ltd supplies HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham
Palace, silverware for the British Sports Trust.
- 1995-1999 - Argenteus Ltd register its Hallmarks at the City of London
and Sheffield Assay Offices. Their silversmithing workshop is established in London for producing bespoke items.
- 2002 - After making giant sized silver spoons for more than ten years, Argenteus
Ltd sets the Guinness World Record for the largest spoon made from silver measuring 51.75in (131.45cm). The previous record had stood for more than 100 years!
- 2003 - Amongst many corporate and private commissions, Argenteus Ltd
designs and creates silverware for Oriel College, The University of Oxford.
- 5th February 2008 - The London Evening Standard select the Argenteus Ltd
Silver Vault for their double page feature of 'City Life in London.'
(click on photo opposite)
- May 2011 - After more than twenty years of supplying late 19th / early
20th century silver-plated carving trolleys to hotels, restaurants and private homes throughout the world, Argenteus Ltd are privileged to supply the Oxford and Cambridge Club in Pall Mall, London, with a magnificent Edwardian Carving Trolley by Elkington and Co. which is now in use in the club dining room.
- July 2011 - The Argenteus Ltd Silver Vault is featured in
London’s Canary Wharf magazine and also The City magazine.
