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Barbara Cattle - York Jewellers
Experts in antique and period jewellery and members of the British Antique Dealers’ Association.
Welcome to Barbara Cattle, where we offer an exclusive, expert service on antique jewellery, period and modern silver and new diamond and coloured gemstone luxury jewellery.
Our York jewellers – part of the H. L. Brown group – is one of the best-known antique jewellers and silversmiths in the city. It has a fascinating history, being located a stone’s throw from the iconic York Minster.
Antique jewellery and period jewellery
The stunning range of antique jewellery and period jewellery on offer is extensive and eclectic. It incorporates 18th and 19th century pieces alongside desirable 20th century designs.
We are always looking to add to our stock of pre-owned jewellery and silver. So our team would be happy to look at any pieces which you may wish to sell.
Luxury jewellery
Barbara Cattle takes great pride in the high quality of its diamonds and coloured gemstones. A large proportion of these are individually, hand-picked and mounted by our company jewellers. Every diamond of half a carat or more is supplied with a diamond report from a professional, independent testing laboratory.
Our range of modern silver holloware and gifts is extensive and is also manufactured by the UK's finest silversmiths. For this reason these are ideal as statement pieces in your home or a beautiful gift for a loved one.
Our History
Our family jewellers was established in a traditional Georgian premises on Stonegate by Mrs Barbara Cattle in the mid-1960s. The business was acquired by the family-owned H L Brown group of jewellers in 1969. As a matter of fact, Barbara Cattle herself entrusted the firm to the new owners. Having acquired the company, it was imperative to retain the long established and much respected ‘Cattle’ connections. That is because the name is synonymous with the York silversmiths of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Founder Barbara Cattle came from a York-based family who was already well established in the antique silver trade. Her father, William Lee, was a substantial collector of silver and upon his death, left his impressive silver collection to the York Minster. The collection remains in the possession of the Minster to this day, displayed in the Treasury in the Undercroft.
Barbara Cattle married the former Lord Mayor of York, Robert Cattle (a descendant of the famous Cattle silversmiths of York) in 1961 and she became the Lady Mayoress in 1962.
To this day Barbara Cattle’s legacy lives on as part of the H L Brown group of family jewellers.
Visit our York jewellers
You will always receive a warm and courteous welcome from Store Manager Anita Eaton and her dedicated and knowledgeable team.
It goes without saying they can offer customers impartial advice with proven expertise, whether you are purchasing a special piece or in need of our other extensive range of services. This range includes repairs, restorations, gem testing, valuations, jewellery design and re-modelling.
Meanwhile our reputation for quality and excellence is reflected in the trust we have built with our loyal clientele.
In addition, we can cater for special order enquiries and we also welcome part-exchange transactions.
Our in-house, NAJ Registered Valuer, Georgi Anderson can assist you with probate, valuations for insurance and family division. At Barbara Cattle we are equally passionate about looking after existing clients, as reaching out to potential new collectors.
Above all, we pride ourselves on our professionalism and discretion.
Book an appointment today and find that perfect gift
