Hallmarking and the Work of Birmingham Assay Office
1773 - 1790 (c.)
Image: Hallmark from Boulton and Fothergill fork for year 1774.
Image from: Birmingham Assay Office
The hallmark on the Boulton and Fothergill’s fork represents all information specified by the Act of 1773: “MB” and “IF” stand for Matthew Boulton and John Fothergill, the Anchor represents the Birmingham Assay Office, the Lion means sterling silver marked in England, and the “B” stands for the year 1774.
The Assay Office was not controlled by the trade but by a Board of thirty-six Guardians of the Standards of Wrought Plate who were elected for life. They were appointed for their position in the region, or for their knowledge of wrought plate. Matthew Boulton himself was among the first Trade Guardians.
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Matthew Boulton and Birmingham Silverware in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
Matthew Boulton and the Formation of Birmingham Assay Office
Hallmarking and the Work of Birmingham Assay Office
Hallmarking and the Work of Birmingham Assay Office
Matthew Boulton and Silver Making
One of a pair of candlesticks, Boulton & Fothergill, 1768
Mazarin, or Fish Strainer, Boulton & Fothergill, 1769
Pair of salts, Boulton & Fothergill, 1773
Two of a set of four salts, Boulton & Fothergill, 1776
One of a pair Sauce Tureens, Boulton & Fothergill, 1776
Sweetmeat Basket, Boulton & Fothergill, 1774
Dish and Cover, Boulton & Fothergill, 1777
Cup and Cover, Boulton & Fothergill, 1777
One of a pair of candlesticks, Matthew Boulton, 1789
Warwick Vase and Cover, M. Boulton & Plate Co. 1827
