Museum and the Factory: The V&A, Elkington and the Electrical Revolution

Elkington & Co. was a 19th-century industrial art and design manufacturer that pioneered electro-metallurgy to create original artworks, perfect replicas, and mass-reproduced luxury consumer goods. It gained huge public acclaim at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and produced artworks and luxury goods for great steamships and railways, including tableware that sank with the Titanic. It also played a crucial role in shaping and building the V&As permanent collection, cementing its status as a leading cultural institution.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 160 pages
\n Publication date: 14 December 2018
\n Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
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This captivating book delves into a remarkable untold story of enterprise and innovation, centered around the profound relationship between the Victoria and Albert Museum and Elkington & Co., the renowned industrial art and design manufacturer of the 19th century. Based in Birmingham, Elkington & Co. pioneered and patented the industrial art of electro-metallurgy, a groundbreaking technique that allowed them to create original artworks, perfect replicas, and mass-produced luxury consumer goods. By harnessing electricity, they were able to manipulate metal at a molecular level, shaping it into exquisite forms. This technological revolution left an indelible legacy, shaping the way modern material culture looks and operates today.

Elkington & Co.'s synthesis of science and art into industrial manufacturing processes revolutionized the design, production, replication, and reproduction of precious metalwork, metal sculpture, and ornamental art metalwork. Their achievements were widely recognized at the Great Exhibition of 1851, where they showcased their exceptional craftsmanship. Following this success, they produced a wide range of artworks and luxury goods, including world-renowned sports trophies such as the Wimbledon Singles Trophies and luxury dining services for prestigious steamships and railways, including tableware that tragically sank with the Titanic.

Elkington's role in shaping and building the V&A's permanent collection from its foundation in 1852 (following the Great Exhibition) until the First World War was significant. The V&A's collections, in turn, had a profound influence on Elkington's output. The great success of their relationship cemented both the museums status as a leading cultural institution and the E&Co 'makers-mark as one of the world's first truly multinational designer brands. Elkington's electrical alchemy played a crucial role in sparking the electrical revolution that laid the foundation for the modern world.

In conclusion, this book offers a captivating glimpse into the intertwined histories of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Elkington & Co., highlighting their remarkable contributions to enterprise, innovation, and the shaping of material culture. Through their pioneering techniques and artistic vision, they left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations to come.

\n Weight: 1084g\n
Dimension: 276 x 234 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781848222915\n \n