August 25th, 2010
With assistance through the Birmingham City Council’s Business Development Grant, Glass Domain have moved into premises at the corner of Warstone Lane and Spencer Street.
Glass Domain design and produce glass furniture, splashbacks and ICON printed glass to order for home or office, ensuring they meet each customers specific requirements.
This follows in the Quarter’s tradition of glass making, which actually started with stained glass window manufacturer Pugin Hordeman – now based in Frederick Street.
August 10th, 2010
The Jewellery Quarter has taken part in the Regional Heart of England In Bloom initiative since 2006, winning a Neighbourhood Award in 2006 and a Silver Gilt Award in 2007 as part of the Urban Regeneration Category. To view the map of this year’s floral trail please click here
In 2007, the Jewellery Quarter joined forces with the Birmingham City Centre Trail, which not only won a Gold Award in the Urban Regeneration category, but was also nominated for the National Britain ‘In Bloom’ competition in 2009. The Jewellery Quarter ‘In’ Bloom initiatives are supported by the Ladywood Ward Community Chest Funding and the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. For more information on the projects that this funding has supported please click here
This years City Centre Floral Trail and ‘In Bloom’ Judging 23rd July 2010
Judges arrived in Birmingham on 23rd July to inspect the city’s finest flowers on a whistle stop tour starting at the Lickey Hills Country Park and ending at Lady Holte’s Garden in Aston Hall.
This year Birmingham is competing in the ‘Large City’ category with scoring based on horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility, and community participation.
The results of the competition will be announced at the Heart of England Awards Ceremony at Pershore Abbey early in September. For more information visit: http://heartofenglandinbloom.co.uk
More than thirty Jewellery Quarter businesses and organisations have supported this years Jewellery Quarter 2010 ‘In Bloom’ flower festival by sponsoring lamppost baskets, flowers, and window boxes. These beautiful floral tributes are displayed outside their shops and businesses and without their support it would be extremely difficult to secure sufficient funding to participate in the competition.
A full list of sponsors are listed click here
July 11th, 2010
Please click on this article to view in full size
July 4th, 2010
June 22nd, 2010
AE Harris have resubmitted a planning application for development within the Jewellery Quarter.
Please find attached a presentation of the propsals
AE HARRIS PRESENTATION
June 21st, 2010
May 21st, 2010
An historical homecoming for one of Birmingham’s most accomplished silversmiths will take place on Monday 24th May as two pieces of Matthew Boulton silver await the hammer at auctioneers, Fellows & Sons.
A son of a buckle maker, Matthew Boulton (1728 – 1809) aspired to be a great gentleman and went on to become one of the most extraordinary men in the history of silver. A keen scientist and entrepreneur, Boulton expanded his father’s business considerably and together with his business partner John Fothergill opened the Soho Manufactory, one of the earliest factories in Birmingham. The fascinating yet fraught partnership of Boulton and Fothergill saw superb silver and Sheffield plate being produced ranging from modest silver buttons and snuff boxes for the aspiring working classes to candlesticks and candelabrums for the emerging bourgeoisie.
In a bid to avoid his fine creations being copied by long standing rivals in London, Boulton saw a successful parliamentary act passed in 1773 which allowed him to establish an assay office in the heart of Birmingham allowing local silversmiths to prosper away from the capital.
Changing trends in decorative arts in the 18th century saw a new direction in silver design towards the clean lines of neo-classicism and the re-imagining of ancient architecture. This flourishing craftsmanship is skilfully displayed in the George III silver trophy cup which is hallmarked Birmingham 1793 and set to be a highlight of the upcoming sale.
Estimated between £500 and £800 the trophy cup of traditional form has twin leaf mounted handles, beaded details and a decorative detailed rim. Measuring 22cm and weighing 975 grams, the cup with gilt interior is an elegant example of Boulton’s technique for creating fine items of silver in beautiful ornamental form.
The second lot expected to draw interest is a pair of silver plated candlesticks made by the Matthew Boulton Plate Company which are estimated between £300 and £500. Measuring 24.1 cm in height, the candlesticks are each raised above a circular footed base with leaf mounted reeded columns and detachable nozzles further emphasising the clean lines and proportions of the classical embellishments which enhanced Boulton’s craft.
Stephen Whittaker, Managing Director, Fellows & Sons said: “These fine examples were created over 200 years ago at a time when new wealth was emerging from the Industrial Revolution. They were extremely desirable then and are still highly sought after today”.
Dr. Sally Baggott, Curator, The Birmingham Assay Office said: ‘The Birmingham Assay Office was established in 1773, largely due to the efforts of Matthew Boulton, and he did a great deal to build Birmingham’s reputation and put it on the international map. Boulton’s working life began in his father’s toy and button making business yet he went on to become one of the great silversmiths of the late eighteenth century. His work is exemplary of the neo-classical style; simple, elegant and appealing to modern taste.’
These examples of Mathew Boulton silver will feature in the Silver, Plated Ware, Coins & Medals auction held on Monday 24th May at Fellows & Sons in Birmingham.
For more information please contact Mary Long on 0121 212 5500 or email mary@fellows.co.uk
For more information visit http://www.fellows.co.uk
May 17th, 2010
The Little Guitar Shop opened its doors on Saturday 15th May selling vintage, used and new guitars, amps and accessories.
58, Spencer Street
Birmingham
B18 6DS
May 16th, 2010
A planning Application has now been submitted with the aim that this flagship project will start on-site in Spring of next year.
May 11th, 2010
The Jewellers of Centrepiece are hosting a very exciting event in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter next weekend. Come along, check out our workshops and purchase something truly unique from the hands of the designer who made it.
