DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1399#0143
PLATE 24(J.
CHANDELIERS,
BY MESSES. MESSENGER & SONS, AND MESSRS. R. W. WINFIELD & SONS, BIRMINGHAM.
TTJRIZE medals were awarded to both the exhibitors whose productions we have here
-*- illustrated, by the international Jury of Class 31; and in the official Report we read that
"Mr. R. W. Winfield has a collection of chandeliers of excellent quality, which should have
been specially named in the award. Some of those exhibited by the Messrs. Messenger unite
simplicity of form with great elegance, and at the same time economy of material."
The chandelier selected by us from Messrs. Messenger's contribution was made of brass,
electro-bronzed, and relieved with gilding. It was designed by Mr. Messenger, was modelled
on the premises, and did great credit to the good taste and workmanship of the firm. Among
the numerous other chandeliers exhibited by them were to be remarked several designed by
Mr. M. Digby Wyatt, architect, and some effective bronzed standard lamps for staircases, as
well as bronze wall branch-lights of very good design ; and the entire contribution of this old-
established firm, in point of extent, artistic character, and execution, fully sustained the high
reputation which the Messrs. Messenger have gained and held for the greater part of the
present century.
The bronzed and gilt chandelier made by the Messrs. "Winfield was very effective, and
well designed in the Renaissance style, and was furnished with patent terra-cotta covers to
consume its own smoke. Besides this, we noticed several excellent chandeliers in various styles,
electro-silvered and gilt; beds, mirrors, chairs; and especially a bronze-gilt berceau, of very
tasteful design. The introduction of opal glass with brasswork is due to this firm, whose
ornamental hollow brass tubings for every kind of furniture were, moreover, very well designed
and very varied in character.
Mr. W. C. Aitken, formerly one of the superintendents of the works belonging to the
Messrs. "Winfield, has given a series of very useful notices relating to the Birmingham brass
manufacture in the official Reports and Supplement of the 1851 Catalogue, in which he states
that " the discovery of the rich, dead, goldlike colour giveu to brasswork, and which has been
introduced within the last thirty years, was the result of accident. To produce it, the work is
first 'scaled' (or roughly cleansed), by immersion in a weak solution of acid. It is then
what is technically called 'fezzed;' viz., passed through a stronger solution: 'deadening'
follows; and this is effected by means also of acid, but of such a degree of strength that the
action on the metal, though recognizable, is not of a violent nature. Attention is necessary to
this point, otherwise the work when finished will present a mottled appearance. It is dried in
sawdust, and is then passed through acid of ordinary strength and dipped into water, of
which there should always be an abundance at hand, until the acid be removed. The bright
parts on the metal are produced by steel burnishers. Gall is used in connection with them
to prevent their scratching; and the article being burnished, is from time to time plunged into
argol (crude tartar) and water. "When finished from the burnisher, it is dried out in boxwood-
dust and then lacquered."
The process of lacquering consists in heating the burnished brass on a lacquering-stove;
the lac then is warmed, dissolved, and laid on with a camel's hair pencil, carefully covering the
surface with an even coating; and when dry, the piece is polished by friction. Lacquering is
almost entirely executed by women, and the finest lac is used for the purpose, splendid
specimens of which were to be seen in the Zollverein department, manufactured by J. Albrecht,
Messrs. Mehl & Mastkopp, and C. Mellinger, all of Mayence, in the grand-duchy of Hesse.
We have only space to add that the " or moulu " of the French brass-founder consists of
a greater proportion of copper and less zinc than ordinary brass, cleaned with acid, burnished
and brightened up with a brush made of fine brass wire called a "scratch" brush; by means
of which its brilliant appearance resembling gold is produced; it is then lacquered to preserve
it from oxidization.
CHANDELIERS,
BY MESSES. MESSENGER & SONS, AND MESSRS. R. W. WINFIELD & SONS, BIRMINGHAM.
TTJRIZE medals were awarded to both the exhibitors whose productions we have here
-*- illustrated, by the international Jury of Class 31; and in the official Report we read that
"Mr. R. W. Winfield has a collection of chandeliers of excellent quality, which should have
been specially named in the award. Some of those exhibited by the Messrs. Messenger unite
simplicity of form with great elegance, and at the same time economy of material."
The chandelier selected by us from Messrs. Messenger's contribution was made of brass,
electro-bronzed, and relieved with gilding. It was designed by Mr. Messenger, was modelled
on the premises, and did great credit to the good taste and workmanship of the firm. Among
the numerous other chandeliers exhibited by them were to be remarked several designed by
Mr. M. Digby Wyatt, architect, and some effective bronzed standard lamps for staircases, as
well as bronze wall branch-lights of very good design ; and the entire contribution of this old-
established firm, in point of extent, artistic character, and execution, fully sustained the high
reputation which the Messrs. Messenger have gained and held for the greater part of the
present century.
The bronzed and gilt chandelier made by the Messrs. "Winfield was very effective, and
well designed in the Renaissance style, and was furnished with patent terra-cotta covers to
consume its own smoke. Besides this, we noticed several excellent chandeliers in various styles,
electro-silvered and gilt; beds, mirrors, chairs; and especially a bronze-gilt berceau, of very
tasteful design. The introduction of opal glass with brasswork is due to this firm, whose
ornamental hollow brass tubings for every kind of furniture were, moreover, very well designed
and very varied in character.
Mr. W. C. Aitken, formerly one of the superintendents of the works belonging to the
Messrs. "Winfield, has given a series of very useful notices relating to the Birmingham brass
manufacture in the official Reports and Supplement of the 1851 Catalogue, in which he states
that " the discovery of the rich, dead, goldlike colour giveu to brasswork, and which has been
introduced within the last thirty years, was the result of accident. To produce it, the work is
first 'scaled' (or roughly cleansed), by immersion in a weak solution of acid. It is then
what is technically called 'fezzed;' viz., passed through a stronger solution: 'deadening'
follows; and this is effected by means also of acid, but of such a degree of strength that the
action on the metal, though recognizable, is not of a violent nature. Attention is necessary to
this point, otherwise the work when finished will present a mottled appearance. It is dried in
sawdust, and is then passed through acid of ordinary strength and dipped into water, of
which there should always be an abundance at hand, until the acid be removed. The bright
parts on the metal are produced by steel burnishers. Gall is used in connection with them
to prevent their scratching; and the article being burnished, is from time to time plunged into
argol (crude tartar) and water. "When finished from the burnisher, it is dried out in boxwood-
dust and then lacquered."
The process of lacquering consists in heating the burnished brass on a lacquering-stove;
the lac then is warmed, dissolved, and laid on with a camel's hair pencil, carefully covering the
surface with an even coating; and when dry, the piece is polished by friction. Lacquering is
almost entirely executed by women, and the finest lac is used for the purpose, splendid
specimens of which were to be seen in the Zollverein department, manufactured by J. Albrecht,
Messrs. Mehl & Mastkopp, and C. Mellinger, all of Mayence, in the grand-duchy of Hesse.
We have only space to add that the " or moulu " of the French brass-founder consists of
a greater proportion of copper and less zinc than ordinary brass, cleaned with acid, burnished
and brightened up with a brush made of fine brass wire called a "scratch" brush; by means
of which its brilliant appearance resembling gold is produced; it is then lacquered to preserve
it from oxidization.