{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1725545"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1725545/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2024NV8942/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2024NV8942/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2024NV8942","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1725545","accessionNumber":"E.637:48-2015","objectType":"Engraving","titles":[{"title":"Pattern book of metal furniture mounts","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"The production of decorative fittings for furniture was revolutionised by the invention of a machine in 1769 by London gilt toy manufacturer, John Pickering, to stamp decorative designs on to ‘plated metal, gilt or other metals’. Pickering’s invention was adapted for mass manufacture by Birmingham brass founders, John Marston and Samuel Bellamy, who took out a patent in 1777 to produce brass fittings for furniture, locks and coffins and hat and cloak pins. \n\r\nBrass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is distinguished by its malleability and transformative properties.  First, brass beaters hammered strips of brass into sheets which were cut into shapes for processing in the stamping machines. Designs were engraved and fixed to the head of a drop hammer which stamped the design on to the metal. To achieve a highly defined pattern, the brass was repeatedly re-heated then stamped with the same design with increasing degrees of relief. The surface was varnished or patinated to produce a premium, gold-like appearance. \r\n\r\nFrom around 1770, metalware manufacturers began to send drawings of their designs to customers in the form of loose sheets and circulated pattern cards. Over time, the loose sheets were bound together to form pattern books for use by travelling agents as an important selling tool at fairs and industrial exhibitions. This pattern book is most likely to have been produced in Birmingham, which by 1760, had become the centre for the production of fashioned steel, iron, brass and copper goods in England.\n\nIn this pattern book are 48 pages of engravings depicting stamped metal fitting designs for lamps, mirrors, crucifixes, finger plates for doors, commode handles, bed caps, escutcheons and cloak pins, all ‘of a fine Burnish’d Gold Colour’. The pages are hand annotated with dimensions and prices indicating that this was an agent’s working document. The names of the designers, manufacturers and engravers are absent which suggests that the agent wanted to keep their sources anonymous to maintain a commercial monopoly. The designs feature common neoclassical motifs such as vases, patera and cornucopia surrounded by foliate decoration and ornamental beading, reflecting the influence of French Empire furniture. \r\n\r\n\r\n","physicalDescription":"A pattern book of metal furniture mount designs, 48 pages (22 folding), contemporary limp marbled boards.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"paper","id":"x30308"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Engraving","id":"AAT53225"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Pattern books","id":"THES48915"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[{"text":"Neo-classicism","id":"x38958"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"PDP","id":"THES48595"},"images":["2024NV8942"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"LVLE","id":"THES49657"},"free":"","case":"SB5","shelf":"10","box":""}],"partTypes":[],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Birmingham","id":"x28748"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"late 18th century to early 19th century","earliest":"1750-01-01","latest":"1850-12-31"},"association":{"text":"Made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Jacob Simon","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Width","value":"150","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":"Pages range in size from 150 x 250 mm to 450 x 560 mm (fold out)"},{"dimension":"Height","value":"250","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Inscription in ink script reads ‘R&E’ or ‘R & Co’ ","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"This pattern book contains the museum numbers E.637:1-2015 to E.637:53-2015. ","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Page of engravings from pattern book of metal furniture mounts, probably Birmingham, late 18th or early 19th century","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"designs","id":"AAT102051"},{"text":"Neoclassical","id":"AAT21477"},{"text":"brass-work","id":"AAT44016"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["E.637:48-2015"],"accessionNumberNum":"637","accessionNumberPrefix":"E","accessionYear":2015,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-05-02","recordCreationDate":"2022-07-14","availableToBook":false}}