John Hillery was a prominent 18th-century Irish provincial silversmith based in Cork, active approximately between 1770 and 1795.
His work is highly regarded by collectors of Irish silver and is often identified by his maker’s mark, typically “JH”.
Hillery operated out of North Main Street in Cork City, which was a hub for skilled trades in the late 1700s. He was part of a distinguished group of Cork goldsmiths and silversmiths during a period when the city was a significant center for silver production outside of Dublin. Because he shared the “JH” initials with another contemporary Cork silversmith, John Humphreys, some attributions of specific pieces are debated among experts.
John Humphreys was a celebrated 18th-century Irish goldsmith and silversmith active in Dublin and Cork. He is known for producing high-quality flatware, such as Hanoverian pattern tablespoons and plain silver bowls.
