Elkington, Mason & Co.; Elkington & Co. (1851-1878)
Elkington, Mason & Co.; Elkington & Co.
Birmingham, Warkwickshire and London; gilders, metal founders (fl.1851-78)
Among Queen Victoria's loans to the Great Exhibition 1851 were various objects of Elkington, Mason & Co.'s manufacture. These included two pieces specially commissioned by Prince Albert; a magnificent, prize-winning jewel case designed by L. Grunner, of bronze, gilt and silver electro-plate and incorporating KPM Berlin porcelain plaques of family portraits (RCIN 1562) and a table of gold & silver electro-plate, designed by George Stanton, who was described in the Official Catalogue as 'a young artist in the employ of H. Elkington and student of the Birmingham School of Design (RCIN 41227).
Following success at this exhibition, the firm by then named Elkington & Co. had a display stand with their wares as well as their electronically gilded bronze work appearing on the Jackson and Graham cabinet at the 1855 Paris International Exhibition (illus. Meyer (2006), p. 95). They also exhibited metal works at the 1862 London International Exhibition including an unusual silver table and mirror both in a Moorish or Islamic style. The table, produced from models made by an Italian artist for Mr Penrose Mark, the Consul in Granada, was later given to Elkingtons (illus. Meyer (2006), pp .121 & 130). Elkington later exhibited at the 1867, 1871, 1873 & 1878 International Exhibitions. At the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition the firm showed a ‘Silver Fairy Table’ and a damascened casket (illus. Meyer (2006), pp. 215 & 231).
Sources: Gere & Whiteway, Nineteenth-Century Design. From Pugin to Mackintosh (1993); Meyer, Great Exhibitions. London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia. 1851-1900 (2006).
Material
Ornamentation/Design