Chimney Ornament
ca. 1840 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This chimney ornament and its pair (M.64-1967), are examples of the cheaply-made metal ornaments produced in Birmingham in the 1830s and 1840s. Spill-containers and chimney ornaments in brass were especially popular. The shafts are telescopic, and each contains a folded silk or paper sheet which opens out to make a small circular screen. The brass mounts were fitted into the top of the shaft.
Maker
Underneath the foot is a label which reads 'B. Days' patent chimney ornaments to represent Gothic architecture are so constructed that they may be used for fire-screens, flower or scent jars, time-piece cases, candle-shades and various useful purposes. Manufactured by Patentee, Snow Hill, Birmingham. Appointed manufacturer to His Majesty. The portability and elegance of these fire-screens give them decided preference to all others'.
Ornaments of this form have plaques on the base, stamped Day's Patent with the Royal coat of arms.
Design Attitude
The designs are loosely based on Gothic architecture and were manufactured by stamping or casting. Day was a prosperous Birmingham manufacturer whose 'Birmingham Gothic' wares were particularly despised by the Gothic Revival architect and designer A.W.N. Pugin (1812-52). In his True Principles of Pointed or Christian Architecture, published in 1841, Pugin severely lampooned these products. One is illustrated in his plate 24 and entitled 'Patterns of Brummagen Gothic'.
This chimney ornament and its pair (M.64-1967), are examples of the cheaply-made metal ornaments produced in Birmingham in the 1830s and 1840s. Spill-containers and chimney ornaments in brass were especially popular. The shafts are telescopic, and each contains a folded silk or paper sheet which opens out to make a small circular screen. The brass mounts were fitted into the top of the shaft.
Maker
Underneath the foot is a label which reads 'B. Days' patent chimney ornaments to represent Gothic architecture are so constructed that they may be used for fire-screens, flower or scent jars, time-piece cases, candle-shades and various useful purposes. Manufactured by Patentee, Snow Hill, Birmingham. Appointed manufacturer to His Majesty. The portability and elegance of these fire-screens give them decided preference to all others'.
Ornaments of this form have plaques on the base, stamped Day's Patent with the Royal coat of arms.
Design Attitude
The designs are loosely based on Gothic architecture and were manufactured by stamping or casting. Day was a prosperous Birmingham manufacturer whose 'Birmingham Gothic' wares were particularly despised by the Gothic Revival architect and designer A.W.N. Pugin (1812-52). In his True Principles of Pointed or Christian Architecture, published in 1841, Pugin severely lampooned these products. One is illustrated in his plate 24 and entitled 'Patterns of Brummagen Gothic'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Brass, cast and stamped, partly lacquered black; circular face screen missing from the top |
| Brief description | 1st of pair of chimney ornaments, with gothic mounts |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed 'Days Patent' and carrying a label |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
By the 1830s, the Medieval Revival style was popular enough to be used in cheap metalwares. In 1841 the design reformer A.W.N. Pugin, attacked such chimney ornaments, used in pairs for decorating the mantelpiece, as false versions of the Gothic style. In his 'True Principles of Pointed or Christian Architecture', they are illustrated with other metalwork under the title 'Patterns of Brummagem Gothic'.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Manufactured by B. Day in Snow Hill, Birmingham |
| Summary | Object Type This chimney ornament and its pair (M.64-1967), are examples of the cheaply-made metal ornaments produced in Birmingham in the 1830s and 1840s. Spill-containers and chimney ornaments in brass were especially popular. The shafts are telescopic, and each contains a folded silk or paper sheet which opens out to make a small circular screen. The brass mounts were fitted into the top of the shaft. Maker Underneath the foot is a label which reads 'B. Days' patent chimney ornaments to represent Gothic architecture are so constructed that they may be used for fire-screens, flower or scent jars, time-piece cases, candle-shades and various useful purposes. Manufactured by Patentee, Snow Hill, Birmingham. Appointed manufacturer to His Majesty. The portability and elegance of these fire-screens give them decided preference to all others'. Ornaments of this form have plaques on the base, stamped Day's Patent with the Royal coat of arms. Design Attitude The designs are loosely based on Gothic architecture and were manufactured by stamping or casting. Day was a prosperous Birmingham manufacturer whose 'Birmingham Gothic' wares were particularly despised by the Gothic Revival architect and designer A.W.N. Pugin (1812-52). In his True Principles of Pointed or Christian Architecture, published in 1841, Pugin severely lampooned these products. One is illustrated in his plate 24 and entitled 'Patterns of Brummagen Gothic'. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.64A-1967 |
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| Record created | May 22, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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