Historic design and production of glass and metal for lighting: Birmingham and the Black Country 1800-1914
Doctoral Candidate: Harrison Davies
Supervisors: Dr Caroline Archer-Parré, Katriona Byrne, Dr Ann-Marie Carey;
This research will investigate the evolution of the design and production of glass and metal for decorative and functional lighting, made in Birmingham and the Black Country, between 1800 and 1914.
The research aims to identify processes and technologies used in glassmaking and metalworking for lighting. A timeline of the invention and introduction of processes and technologies will be made, in order to seek correlations between lighting with other glass and metal designs. This will prove the impact of the lighting industry on other areas of the industries. It may identify Birmingham and the Black Country indigenous inventions and techniques previously unrecognised.
The thesis will ensure this innovative, yet neglected area of historic decorative arts does not remain a footnote, but is investigated further by historians, curators, and artists of the future. It will highlight the production of lighting as an area of design and art by itself, combining two of the most prevalent of the ‘thousand trades’ of the city of Birmingham.
