Birmingham Treasures

Charity

Mrs Elton (Emma) famously said that she thought 'there is

Justice

something direful in the sound' of Birmingham, but if you explore Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, you'll discover some wonderful treasures from the world of Jane Austen's England. 
Much of the stained glass in Britain's churches is of Victorian date, some of which is splendid, but some is of rather dubious taste. Apparently many Georgian-era stained glass windows were removed by Gothic revivalists, but the museum holds some extremely rare survivals.
These two windows, 'Charity' and 'Justice', date about 1816, were painted by William Eginton, and I think they are really beautiful.

Birmingham toys.

 

 

Wine glass.

Birmingham was famous for its 'toys' or trinkets, and Matthew Boulton began his early career as a 'toy'-maker.This little 'taperstick' would have held a candle; the fish was a spicebox or vinaigrette. 
This wine glass (right) is hand-blown, and typical of the period. 
And what Georgian home would be complete without some beautiful china?
This is a Meissen coffee-cup and tea-cup from the 1750s (too early, I know for Jane Austen, but they are really pretty. Maybe Mr Woodhouse had an old set for when his friends and neighbours came for tea). 

Meissen ware.

This vase (right) is a copy of the famous Portland vase, and is one of the masterpieces which made Josiah Wedgwood famous.

 Last, but not least, we have some Birmingham-made pearl and metal buttons, dated 1780-1820s, and another product which the city was famous for.

Dr Johnson's House

17 Gough Square

In 1755, twenty years before Jane Austen was born, Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary was published. According to its preface, this mammoth undertaking rescued the English language, ‘hitherto neglected’ from the corruption of ignorance, and caprices of innovation’.

The parlour

We know from Henry Austen’s Biographical Notice of his sister that Dr Johnson was Jane’s favourite moral writer in prose. Northanger Abbey contains a well-known reference to Johnson and his Dictionary: Henry Tilney’s joking reproof to Catherine Morland. 

When Catherine (not the brightest of Austen’s heroines) discusses her favourite novel with her friend Eleanor Tilney and her brother, she asks: ‘Do not you think Udolpho the nicest book in the world?’

The powdering closet in the parlour.

Henry replies: ‘The nicest: by which I suppose you mean the neatest. That must depend upon the binding’. 

Johnson's chair from the Cock Tavern.

‘Henry’, said Miss Tilney, ‘you are very impertinent. Miss Morland…the word “nicest”, as you used it, did not suit him; and you had better change it as soon as you can, or we shall be overpowered with Johnson and Blair all the rest of the way’.

The first floor.

The author in 18th century dress. Without the heels!

Like Jane Austen, I love Johnson’s wit and wisdom, and I was thrilled when I finally got a chance to visit his house at 17 Gough Square. It’s packed with memorabilia, portraits and prints, and a fabulous library of 18^th century works. I even got a chance to dress up as an eighteenth-century lady! The wig was very hot, I assure you.  

The first floor.

Mrs Thrale's tea set.