Brummagem

"Brummagem" jewellery, of a kind which is too well known to need description.

The Adventures of Louis De Rougemont Louis de Rougemont 1884

Great credit belongs to him for unceasingly laboring to improve the quality of his products and especially to raise the artistic standard, then so low as to have already caused "Brummagem" to become a term of reproach.

James Watt Andrew Carnegie 1877

"Brummagem" or the "Hardware Village," it is now recognised as the centre of activity and influence in Mid-England; it is the Mecca of surrounding populous districts, that attracts an increasing number of pilgrims who love life, pleasure, and shopping.

A Tale of One City: the New Birmingham Papers Reprinted from the "Midland Counties Herald" Thomas Anderton 1869

He was one to whom the stigma implied in the term "Brummagem" would not apply, for he consistently carried out principles of integrity in business, and so earned for himself the right to be held up as a type of a high-minded, upright, conscientious English merchant.

Personal Recollections of Birmingham and Birmingham Men Eliezer Edwards 1853

With any collection there's bound to be reproductions or fakes known as "Brummagem" in campaign button circles.

The Herald-Mail Online 2008

A work-table of rosewood inlaid with brass, which had been a wedding-present, and was a costly thing originally, but in that peculiar taste which is vulgarly called "Brummagem," stood at hand: the brass had started in several places, and occasionally made great havoc in the children's fingers and in Mrs. Leslie's gown; in fact it was the liveliest piece of furniture in the house, thanks to the petulant brasswork, and could not have been more mischievous if it had been a monkey.

My Novel — Volume 02 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

A work-table of rosewood inlaid with brass, which had been a wedding-present, and was a costly thing originally, but in that peculiar taste which is vulgarly called "Brummagem," stood at hand: the brass had started in several places, and occasionally made great havoc in the children's fingers and in Mrs. Leslie's gown; in fact it was the liveliest piece of furniture in the house, thanks to the petulant brasswork, and could not have been more mischievous if it had been a monkey.

My Novel — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

Brassy is not a polite adjective and in ecclesiastical circles in the twentieth century Brummagem brass came to be seen as the worst expression of commercial bad taste.

Anthony Symondson on "Hardman of Birmingham" 2009

I didn't mind too much, since New York was jolly enough, and Elspeth was happy to divide her time between Park Avenue and Philadelphia, where preparations were in full cry, with Chinks and dagoes hammering away, for the whole world was exhibiting its Brummagem rubbish, and great halls were being built to house it.

Isabelle Estelle Bruno 2010

Fr, just to say I'm enjoying your blog up here in Brummagem.

"The Shack" 2009