An extremely rare set of 4 twin arm wall lights attributed to The Birmingham Guild of Handicraft but apparently unsigned. The hand-crafted  arts and crafts brass brackets hanging pendant 2 reproduction vaseline glass bell lampshades. England c.1900

W.54cm/21in, Ht.(backplate)24/9.5, Ht.(overall)38/15, Dpth.26/10

The Birmingham Guild of Handicraft 1888-1905

• Birmingham Guild of Handicraft was an Arts & Crafts organisation. Its motto was ‘By Hammer and Hand’.
• Around 1888 It began as a loose part of the Birmingham Kyrle Society, then became a more fully formed group within the Kyrle Society in 1890
• In 1895, the Guild set up as an independent workshop and limited company with the guidance of Edward R. Taylor.
• The Guild produced furniture and metal-ware, taking special advantage of the switch to electric lighting and the consequent need for new light fittings.
• Arthur Dixon was the chief designer and head of metalwork workshop. Other members were Albert Edward Jones and Thomas Birkett.
• Due to commercial pressures, there was a merger with E & R Gittins in 1905