Matthew Boulton

Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) was an English manufacturer, engineer, silversmith and entrepreneur, best known for his partnership with Scottish engineer James Watt in developing and commercializing the steam engine.
 
Matthew Boulton was also known for his exquisite silverware, which he produced in his manufacturing enterprise in Birmingham, England. Boulton's silver pieces were known for their innovative designs, high quality, and exquisite craftsmanship.
 
Boulton's silverware ranged from simple and elegant designs to more elaborate pieces that featured intricate engraving, chasing, and embossing. He was particularly skilled at producing ornate candelabra, tea and coffee sets, and other decorative objects that were popular with the upper classes of the time.
 
One of Boulton's most famous pieces is the "Old Sheffield Plate," a technique that he developed in the 1740s for fusing a thin layer of silver to a base metal. This allowed for the production of high-quality silverware at a fraction of the cost of solid silver pieces. Boulton's Old Sheffield Plate pieces were highly sought after and became popular throughout Europe and North America.
 
Boulton's silverware was also notable for its use of innovative manufacturing techniques, including the use of machines and tools that he designed and built himself. He was a key figure in the development of mass production methods and his work helped pave the way for the modern manufacturing industry.
 
Today, Boulton's silverware is highly prized by collectors and is held in prestigious collections around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.