- 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 top image)
- 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 middle image)
- March 2012 - National Geographic Books publishes 'The 10 Best of Everything, An Ultimate
Guide for Travellers' and Argenteus Ltd is selected as one of the world's ten best places for silverware 'treasure-hunting'.
- May 2012 - BBC Documentary – As part of the Handmade in Britain season, a year - long
season exploring the History of British Decorative Arts, Dan Cruickshank for the BBC in conjunction with the Victoria and Albert Museum visits the Argenteus/Feldman silver vaults to film part of their documentary on Metalworks! The Golden Age of Silver.
- July 2012 - Sky Atlantic, 'Urban Secrets' – Scottish actor Alan Cumming's tour guide to
hidden London, visits the Argenteus/Feldman silver vaults and talks to Christopher Turner. (click on video)
