Great Silver Manufactory: Matthew Boulton and the Birmingham Silversmiths, 1760-90

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The passing of the Assay Office Bill in May 1773 was a triumph for Boulton and for Birmingham, and when the Assay Office opened its doors for business on August 31st 1773, Matthew Boulton and his partner, John Fothergill were its first customers. 19th CENTURY THE GRAND STYLE OF HIGH VICTORIANISM The need for the hallmark is as strong now as it was in the 18th century since the hallmark protects the public and the jewellery and silversmithing trades. Precious metals are most commonly used as alloys; mixed with base metals, and even an expert cannot tell by looking whether an article contains the declared proportion of precious metal. Hallmarking severely restricts the opportunity for fraud, so traders compete on a level playing field and consumers can buy with confidence. Hallmarking is a living part of our heritage, and it is important that it stays that way. From the mid 19th Century, it was design that preoccupied the minds of the Victorian silversmiths. The developments in manufacturing processes brought about by the Industrial Revolution had opened up the possibilities in design, and this culminated in the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is significant that by 1877 the increase in the quantity of silver assayed in Birmingham per annum had necessitated the move to larger premises in Newhall Street. Indeed, this is the period that is dominated by the great silversmiths such as Elkingtons. Charles Thomas & William Samuel Sheldon trading as Sheldon Brothers, manufacturing jewellers, Vyse Street, Birmingham

Ash tray, butter dish, caster top, egg cup, flatware, mug, mustard, napkin ring, sauce boat, tea strainer, vanity jar topFrom Aug 1834 this mark used by the partnership of Joseph Willmore, John Yapp & John Woodward. Yapp & Woodward registered their "Y&W" mark May1845. Ashtray, box, card case, caster, cigarette case, compact, corkscrew, dish, frame, ink stand & ink well, match box holder, match striker, menu holder, napkin ring, sauce boat, table lighter, tea & coffee service, tea strainer, vase, vesta

One of a set of teaspoons with all 6 British Assay Office marks - manufactured by Roberts & Belk, SheffieldAlthough we practice traditional silversmithing skills, we use them to produce modern, contemporary sterling silver giftware. Our craftsmen with years of experience and skills handcraft all of our English sterling silver gifts.

And so the list continued, until Sketchley concluded ‘for cheapness, Beauty and Elegance no Place in the world can vie with them.’ Warstone Lane, Birmingham; later Cogent Works, St Paul's Square, Birmingham & Hatton Garden, London A similar mark with serif letters and no stop registered Nov1882 by James Widmer, watch importer, Holborn Viaduct, London ECBox, card case, cigarette case, egg cup, flatware, goblet, mug, pincushion, salt & pepper shakers, tea service, tea strainer, tray, trophy cup Box, card case, decanter label, fork, ink stand, knife, lancet case, pepperette, spoon, toddy ladle, vesta box, vinaigrette