Birmingham's historic
JW Evans silver factory
goes global
Birmingham's historic JW Evans silver factory goes global
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A glimpse into Britain's bygone age of silver has been rolled out to a worldwide audience after the historic JW Evans Silver Factory in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter was chosen to feature in a new series of virtual tours produced by English Heritage and Google Arts and Culture.
Until now, the 19th century silversmith factory, which opened in 1881 and closed 127 years later with all the old tools, machinery and half-finished silverware still in place, has been open just two days a fortnight, offering guided tours only.
But after the new partnership, between English Heritage who bought it from the Evans family in 2008 and the popular Google Arts and Culture website, viewers are now able to take a tour round the historic workshops, via videos, high-resolution photography and 360-degree tours.
Utensils and tools from 127 years of JW Evans history Credit: English Heritage
The story of the silversmith trade in the 19th century is told through thousands of artefacts from across the era including 100 year old stamps, stocks, dies and fly presses, lying side by side with a huge collection of dust ridden silver ornaments and utensils, in various stages of completion.
It provides a fascinating throwback to the days when silver was used in every household activity from pouring tea, cutting butter, extinguishing candles and opening mail. Old invoices and accounts, the original drawings and designs, stock sheets and more dust are also featured.
Photo Credit: English Heritage
The factory remains exactly as it was when it closed its doors for the final time in 2008 giving it the feel of workers being away from benches on their lunch break.
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