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Together The Birmingham Assay Office and Lichfield Heritage Centre are offering a rare opportunity to see the unique work of Matthew Boulton, Birmingham’s celebrated silversmith and founder of The Birmingham Assay Office.  These pieces from The Birmingham Assay Office Silver Collection have not been shown to the general public for many years.

The Exhibition is to be opened by Kay Alexander, the renowned, popular broadcaster and journalist who was recently elected the first woman Chairman of The Birmingham Assay Office.  The exhibition opens on Friday 20th October at 10.00am and will run until Friday 3rd December 2006.

The pieces on display have been carefully chosen to represent a range of the Silver produced at Boulton’s Manufactory.  They include – candlesticks - one of Boulton’s specialities – and other domestic objects such as wine labels, flatware and salts.  One or two of the more grand objects held in the collection will also be on show such as the spectacular copy of the Warwick Vase.

Dr. Sally Baggott, Curator at The Birmingham Assay Office explained “We are delighted to work once again with the Lichfield Heritage Centre.  The exquisite pieces on display are being temporarily housed in a particularly appropriate venue as Matthew Boulton had strong connections with the City of Lichfield.  His marriage to Mary Robinson, daughter of a wealthy city mercer, took place in 1749 at St Mary’s Church – which today forms part of the Lichfield Heritage Centre.”

Lichfield Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week, Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm and Sunday 10.30am – 4.00pm.  Admission Charges Apply.

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