Sinister bottles from Newman Brothers' coffin fittings works
As part of the Heritage Open Days I was lucky enough to get a place on a guided tour of Newman Brothers' Coffin Fittings Works in Hockley, Birmingham this afternoon. What an experience this was!
Although coffins were never made there, every type of coffin fittings was manufactured on site - handles, breastplates, wreath holders, rings and roses, screws and nails in cast brass and stamped metal. Shrouds, coffin linings, side sheets and frillings were also made here. These fittings went out across the world and graced the coffins of royalty.
This grade 11* listed semi-derelict factory has been acquired and will be managed by the Birmingham Conservation Trust and I was asked to go along and look at the shroud department with a view to becoming involved in future art making when the facory re-opens after renovation.For more information about this exciting venture please see www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/catergory/blog/
Sinister bottles from Newman Brothers' coffin fittings works
As part of the Heritage Open Days I was lucky enough to get a place on a guided tour of Newman Brothers' Coffin Fittings Works in Hockley, Birmingham this afternoon. What an experience this was!
Although coffins were never made there, every type of coffin fittings was manufactured on site - handles, breastplates, wreath holders, rings and roses, screws and nails in cast brass and stamped metal. Shrouds, coffin linings, side sheets and frillings were also made here. These fittings went out across the world and graced the coffins of royalty.
This grade 11* listed semi-derelict factory has been acquired and will be managed by the Birmingham Conservation Trust and I was asked to go along and look at the shroud department with a view to becoming involved in future art making when the facory re-opens after renovation.For more information about this exciting venture please see www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/catergory/blog/