I picked up this Birmingham Silversmiths’ Association Plaque in London.
I’m keen to date it and wondered if you might like to publish the picture in the Hockley Flyer to see if anyone knows its history?
The name suggests it may be from the 1920s/30s as I understand the Birmingham Association changed its name in around 1943 – someone out there in the Quarter will know better if I’m wrong!
Best wishes – Phil Davis (JQNF)
07796 138930
‘Dear Mr Field,
Having seen the letter in the July issue 289 Hockley flyer, and read your input attached, I can add that the medal was made by Turner and Simpson Limited in Birmingham, perhaps this will help shed some light on the lady.
I can confirm that the lady is holding a pallet and brushes and that the medal was made in 1938 in 9ct. It sits proudly in our museum. Perhaps my father can add further information.
Regards, James Deakin
http://www.deakinandfrancis.co.uk
Image missing from above
In the April issue of The Hockley Flyer we featured a Birmingham Silversmiths’ Association Plaque which had been found by Phil Davis of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum.
Geoff Field of the BJA picked this up and replied to Phil on 17th April: ‘The image seems to have a laurel backdrop which indicates an award of some kind but I cannot decide if the model is holding a shield and arrows or a palette and brushes. I have tried Google images to try to find a similar representation of a Greek or Roman figure but to no avail. It would not be unusual for the BJSA to award prizes for art and design in relation to jewellery – indeed that was why we initiated the forerunner to the present day School of Jewellery.’
Geoff then sent a further email on 23rd June: ‘Browsing through some old copies of the ‘British Jeweller’ for 1938 I tripped across the attached advertisement for Deakin & Francis promoting their success in the BJA Industrial Art Award which looks remarkably similar in design to the plaque you found. I think the plaque was probably awarded to one of the winners.’
Now then, does anyone have any idea of who she is? Reply to either The Hockley Flyer or