The Bromsgrove Society - Pride, Preservation, Progress

The Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts was founded in 1898 by the sculptor Walter Gilbert. During the next 70 years the firm developed into a thriving commercial enterprise, acquiring an international reputation for the high quality of its craftmanship in metalwork, woodcarving, plasterwork, stained glass and other media.

Celebrated Guild contracts included Liverpool's famous Liver Birds, ornate metalwork on the great Cunarders Lusitania and Queen Mary, and the statue of Hygiea which stands in the garden of Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence. However, the Bromsgrove Guild's most memorable commission was to create the wrought iron gates of Buckingham Palace. As a result of completing this particular task the Guild received a Royal Warrant in 1908.

When not working such high profile projects, the firm produced large quantities of lead rainwater goods, garden statuary, fountains, sundials, wrought ironwork and bronze light fittings.