‘All that is needed for a workman to start as a master is a peculiarly shaped bench (known as a Peg) and a leather apron, one or two pounds’ worth of tools (including a blow-pipe) and for material, a few sovereigns and some ounces of copper and zinc. His shop may be the top room of his house, or a small building over the wash house at a rent of 2s or 2s 6d a week and the indispensable gas jet . . .’

J. S. Wright, 1866, member of the Local Industries Committee of the British Association at Birmingham

‘The pursuit of technique for itself leads to mere mechanism, but being tempered by an artistic idea, it is humanized and becomes beautiful.’

R. Catterson-Smith, 1901, Headmaster of the Birmingham School of Jewellery and Silversmithing, 84 Vittoria Street