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BACK | | The Lunar Men who shaped the future
‘The Most Complete Manufacturer in England in Metal’ |
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Silver bread basket and egg stands, made at Matthew Boulton’s Soho factory | © Birmingham Assay Office | Come and see it in the Power Up gallery at Thinktank
Matthew Boulton’s ambition was to change Birmingham’s reputation. The town was known for making small objects made of iron, brass, or steel. These were often called “Brummagem toys” because of their cheapness and sometimes poor quality.
Boulton aimed to earn Birmingham a reputation for quality, taste, and fashion. In the 1770s, he produced silver and silver-plated items, ranging from salt-cellars to church plates. He used designs by leading artists.
Boulton also pressed to establish an Assay Office in Birmingham in 1773 to hallmarking items made of precious metals. MORE |
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