Rare Antique Brown Leather Fob Watch Box
By Saqui & Lawrence, Watchmakers& Jewellers, (c.1902-1917)

Key Features

• Maker: Saqui & Lawrence 
• Era: Circa 1902-1917
• Material: Brown leather exterior, with blue velvet & white silk interior
• Closure: Push button 
• Dimensions: W8.63cm x D11cm x H3.3cm approx.
• Condition: The base has a little marking to the leather.  The interior is in exceptional condition for its age with no wear or marking (see photos)

About Saqui & Lawrence, Watchmakers & Jewellers

The London jeweller, Saqui & Lawrence, was acquired by H. Samuel in 1908.

The founders, Saqui and Lawrence — first cousins — were both closely related to the founder of H. Samuel, Mrs Harriet Samuel. She was their aunt.

Three sisters – Harriet, Rachel and Emma Wolf – married three brothers, Walter, Henry and Alfred Samuel, in Liverpool in the mid-19^th century. A fourth sister, Sarah, married the watchmaker and jeweller John Jacob Saqui. Their eldest child was Abraham Horatio Saqui (1860-1922).

All four families lived and worked in Liverpool as jewellers and watch dealers, but after Walter’s death Harriet moved to Manchester, where she started a new business, H. Samuel, around 1875. By the 1890s this was in the hands of Harriet’s son Edgar, who must be credited with developing Britain’s best-known chain of jewellery shops.

Meanwhile, Saqui & Lawrence had been established around 1884 by Abraham Horatio Saqui and his cousin, Samuel Lawrence (born Lawrence Samuel but also known as Lawrence Lawrence, 1858-1941), the son of Emma and Alfred Samuel. Saqui & Lawrence developed a chain before H. Samuel, with shops in Borough High Street, Liverpool Street and Fleet Street in 1885. Their chain grew more slowly than H. Samuel’s, however, having just six shops by 1908.

Saqui & Lawrence suffered a string of damaging burglaries, widely reported in the press. Furthermore, in 1907-08 Lawrence became embroiled in a scandalous divorce when his young wife took up with his nephew. This may have triggered the dissolution of the partnership and the sale of the business to H. Samuel.

Once acquired by H. Samuel, Edgar took charge of Saqui & Lawrence shops which continued to multiply and traded into the 1980s.

Both Saqui & Lawrence Ltd. and H. Samuel Ltd. were incorporated as private limited companies in 1917. 

Why Buy This Box?

•       Rare & Collectible – A genuine antique from Saqui & Lawrence, with ties to H. Samuel.

•       Perfect Showcase – Ideal for displaying a treasured fob watch or piece of jewellery.

•       Collector’s Gem – A must-have for lovers of antique jewellery boxes and horological history.