Ebenezer Hall was the son of Gilbert Hall, a lead miner and smallholder. He attended Cromford School where he was recommended to John Roberts by his schoolmaster, William Shaw. When John Roberts partner Henry Wilkinson retired, Ebenezer was offered the partnership when it became Roberts & Hall. In 1852 Roberts & Hall merged with Martin & Naylor of Fargate where them became known as Martin, Hall & Co.Below are some examples of silverware which Ebenezer Hall has created along with his partner Richard Martin including an Edwardian punch bowl.
Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall Silver Maker’s Mark
This is a large Edwardian punch bowl made by Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall. It was assayed in 1906 at the Sheffield assay office.
It has an openwork shell and scroll cast border and the foot is chased with shells and scrolling foliage. It is 20cm high, 26.5cm diameter and weighs 50.8 troy ounces.
It sold for £1,000 at Elstob & Elstob in 2020
This is a beautiful set of five oval Victorian parcel-gilt silver baskets assayed in London in 1883. Again, this was made by Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall.
They sold for 5,250 EUR at Sotheby’s in 2019
This is a suite of six Victorian silver-gilt tazze and dishes by Martin & Hall made between 1888 to 1892. The set comprises of two large tazze, two smaller tazze and two oval dishes, richly embossed with floral and strap-work ornament. The height of the larger tazze 19cm, weight 128oz.
They sold for £ 4,000 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2017
This is a Victorian silver two-handled tray by Martin & Hall. It was assayed in Sheffield in 1889.
The tray is of rectangular shape with canted corners and pierced foliate wavy rim, on four bun feet, the handles terminating in masks and the grips with berry terminals, engraved with a band of rosettes and floral swags enclosing a crest of a greyhound extending his front paws in front of a tree and motto Deo Regi Fidelis It is 23¾ in. (60.3 cm.) long 116 oz. (3608 gm.)
It sold for GBP 3,250 at Christie’s in 2014
Victorian Sterling Silver Ewer Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall, London, circa 1888 With faux ivory insulators. Height 12 7/8 inches, approximately 29 ounces.
Sold for $625 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2019
