Enamelling in its various forms was used as long ago as 3000BC as a decorative tool to embellish the work of the goldsmith, reaching popularity in England in the eighteenth century. Enamel boxes from the Georgian period are highly collectable and are sought-after pieces, first used by the aristocracy and socialites to contain snuff for gentlemen and beauty patches for ladies. Originally made from gold and enamel, they were truly precious and exquisite items, predominantly made by Parisian and London jewellers and goldsmiths. The art of enamelling on copper became popular during the 1700s in England. Two of the main areas of manufacture were Bilston in the West Midlands and Battersea in London. It is said that enamelling at Bilston began when a number of French craftsmen fled France in the 1750s due to religious persecution. York House in Battersea is synonymous with English enamelling on copper; only open for three years ( closing in 1756 ), Battersea is renowned for the fine enamels that it produced. Enamel boxes were the fashionable accessories of the Georgian era and their novelty and charm still create desire today. Within the 1820s the demand for enamelling was in decline, and by 1830 many of the enamelling workshops had closed due to the acceleration of the Industrial Revolution, which resulted in the craft virtually ceasing to exist. The late 1960s sees the foundation of our story with the twentieth-century revival of English enamelling within Bilston. Established in 1968 by the Marshall family, the handed-down knowledge of the craft of enamelling on copper formed COPPER ENAMELS ( BILSTON ) LTD which was changed to BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS in 1970. In the 1970s an innovative venture between a London-based antiques dealer, who designed boxes based on those made in Georgian times, and BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS saw the revival of an English craft established in its original home. In 2003 Enesco Limited became the proud owners of BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS, and this is where the twenty-first century story of English enamelling begins. Progressing to the present day with a truly modern revival of the brand, combining our fundamental values of quality together with the integrity of our Georgian ancestors, along with a diversity of the product offerings with a venture into bangles and cufflinks, exciting times are ahead, bringing the art and delight of enamel boxes back into our hearts. Not only producing new collections of sentimental keepsake boxes for a modern lifestyle but bespoke or exclusive works of art can be created for clients’ or corporate clients’ exacting requirements, with specialist one-off or limited production to satisfy these needs. Reinforcing this statement is the revival of the original BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS name stamp which has not been seen since the 1980s, again a sign of the historic groundings of our brand, offering a new dimension and modern twist on the highly sought-after possessions of our Georgian ancestors, to be loved for eternity. Take delight in seeing the new collection over the coming pages on our website bonds the jewellers.co.uk starting with THE REVIVAL COLLECTION depicting three designs carefully chosen to represent the earliest BILSTON & BATTERSEA designs. Following with our new collections of keepsake boxes and ornaments with some items commemorative to this year, from sentimental designs for gift-giving occasions to new licence including works from Beatrix Potter, Classic Pooh, Flower Fairies and Jim Shaw, we finally showcase our new bangles collection and what we can do for you………… Enamelling in its various forms was used as long ago as 3000BC as a decorative tool to embellish the work of the goldsmith, reaching popularity in England in the eighteenth century. Enamel boxes from the Georgian period are highly collectable and are sought-after pieces, first used by the aristocracy and socialites to contain snuff for gentlemen and beauty patches for ladies. Originally made from gold and enamel, they were truly precious and exquisite items, predominantly made by Parisian and London jewellers and goldsmiths. The art of enamelling on copper became popular during the 1700s in England. Two of the main areas of manufacture were Bilston in the West Midlands and Battersea in London. It is said that enamelling at Bilston began when a number of French craftsmen fled France in the 1750s due to religious persecution. York House in Battersea is synonymous with English enamelling on copper; only open for three years ( closing in 1756 ), Battersea is renowned for the fine enamels that it produced. Enamel boxes were the fashionable accessories of the Georgian era and their novelty and charm still create desire today. Within the 1820s the demand for enamelling was in decline, and by 1830 many of the enamelling workshops had closed due to the acceleration of the Industrial Revolution, which resulted in the craft virtually ceasing to exist. The late 1960s sees the foundation of our story with the twentieth-century revival of English enamelling within Bilston. Established in 1968 by the Marshall family, the handed-down knowledge of the craft of enamelling on copper formed COPPER ENAMELS ( BILSTON ) LTD which was changed to BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS in 1970. In the 1970s an innovative venture between a London-based antiques dealer, who designed boxes based on those made in Georgian times, and BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS saw the revival of an English craft established in its original home. In 2003 Enesco Limited became the proud owners of BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS, and this is where the twenty-first century story of English enamelling begins. Progressing to the present day with a truly modern revival of the brand, combining our fundamental values of quality together with the integrity of our Georgian ancestors, along with a diversity of the product offerings with a venture into bangles and cufflinks, exciting times are ahead, bringing the art and delight of enamel boxes back into our hearts. Not only producing new collections of sentimental keepsake boxes for a modern lifestyle but bespoke or exclusive works of art can be created for clients’ or corporate clients’ exacting requirements, with specialist one-off or limited production to satisfy these needs. Reinforcing this statement is the revival of the original BILSTON & BATTERSEA ENAMELS name stamp which has not been seen since the 1980s, again a sign of the historic groundings of our brand, offering a new dimension and modern twist on the highly sought-after possessions of our Georgian ancestors, to be loved for eternity. Take delight in seeing the new collection over the coming pages on our website bonds the jewellers.co.uk starting with THE REVIVAL COLLECTION depicting three designs carefully chosen to represent the earliest BILSTON & BATTERSEA designs. Following with our new collections of keepsake boxes and ornaments with some items commemorative to this year, from sentimental designs for gift-giving occasions to new licence including works from Beatrix Potter, Classic Pooh, Flower Fairies and Jim Shaw, we finally showcase our new bangles collection and what we can do for you…………
