This albumen print from a glass negative is a type of photograph that was made in the mid decades of the nineteenth century. In this particular photograph, the thinness of paper and dullness of albumen indicate an early example of that process dating from the 1850s to the 1860s. It comes from an album of photographs from the Victorian metalworker Francis Skidmore's (1817-1896) firm. It is of an ironwork finial which may have been made either at the firm's premises which were located in Coventry firstly at West Orchard from 1853 and secondly at Alma Street from 1859. The photograph is thus a record of the work done.

There are printed designs for similar finials in a pattern book lettered 'Skidmore's Art Manufactures Co. Book of Designs' in Coventry Public Library. The page of designs is lettered 'Designs for Wrought Iron Finials Vanes'. Some printed designs for finials are in a private collection which are from a later date than the ones in Coventry because they are lettered 'BIRMINGHAM' as below. In 1872 Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Ironwork Company founded in 1865) went into liquidation and was taken over by Winfields of Birmingham so it appears that Skidmore was still producing similar finials for decades. The page of designs in the private collection is lettered 'VANES, FINIALS and HINGES.' and 'F:A:SKIDMORE: COVENTRY and 24 HUNTERS Rd BIRMINGHAM.'