The annexed cut is an illustration of the casket presented to W. R. Browne,Esq., Mayor of Trowbridge, by the Duchess of Albany, on the occasion of the opening of the Town Hall. It was designed by Mr. E. Whitmarsh, jeweller, Trowbridge, and was made by Messrs. B. H. Joseph & Co., of Birmingham and London,–in their manufactory in Birmingham. It is hardly necessary to say that the firm who can turn out such a beautiful and artistic piece of work is capable of supplying any article of jewellery or plate in which delicacy of workmanship, artistic design, and softness of finish are the leading features. The style of the casket is renaissance. It is silver-gilt, richly embossed and engraved, and rests on six carved feet. The cover is supported by pillars richly embossed with wreaths of ivy in gold round them. The front panel shows a view of the Trowbridge Town Hall in repousse work, oxydised silver, very beautifully executed. The two ends bear respectively the Royal Arms and Mr. Browne's armorial bearings, richly enamelled in proper heraldic colours. On the back of the casket the old castle of Trowbridge with its seven towers, is represented in repousse work, oxydised silver. The top of the casket is very richly mounted with a royal crown on a cushion resting on a dome supported by pillars. Mr. Browne's monogram is shown on the panel of the lid in enamel. The lid is hinged. The whole is a work of art of which both the designer and manufacturer may be justly proud. The following inscription is engraved on a silver plate which is placed on the plush of the velvet base :–" Presented to W. Roger Browne, Esq., J.P., C.C., by his fellow townsmen, on the opening of the Town Hall, Trowbridge, by H.R.H. the Duchess of Albany, June, 1889."
The firm of Messrs. B. H. Joseph and Company, 20, Frederick Street, Birmingham, is one of the largest houses in the jewellery trade. They employ at the present time over 250 workmen, and their manufactures comprise : diamond and gem work of the highest class ; all kinds and classes of gold-work–18-carat, 15-carat, and 9-carat ; silver ornaments for ladies' and gentlemen's wear ; silver requisites, such as toilet services, vases, cups, children's rattles, and even such small articles as thimbles. Their manufactory is situated, as above, in the heart of the manufacturing district of Birmingham, and their branch houses, in London, at 29, Ely Place, E.C., and in Madrid, at Preciados, No. 35. Merchants visiting any of these cities would do well to give them a call.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st July 1889
Trev.
