BELK FAMILY. SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT NATIONAL MEDAL FOR SERVICES IN ART 5.3cm

BELK FAMILY. SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT NATIONAL MEDAL FOR SERVICES IN ART 5.3cm, impressed W[alter] P[atrick] Belk Stage 23C 1891, morocco case, 3ozsWalter Patrick Belk (1872-1963) trained as an architect, later assuming joint responsibility with his brother Charles Belk for the management of Roberts & Bell Ltd (founded 1810, incorporated 1901) W P Belk designed much of the company's silver in the 1920s & 30s including the flatware for the dining rooms of the liner RMS "Queen Mary". An important figure in the industry, W P Belk was especially keen to improve standards of modern silver design in Britain. He was a Liveryman of The Goldsmiths Company. Roberts & Bell Ltd was purchased by C J Vander Ltd in 1961.