Smallsword Hilt

Matthew Boulton|Josiah Wedgwood

ca. 1790 · Steel, Wedgwood jasperware · Arms and Armor

This hilt combines two of the most popular elements of English jewelry during the last quarter of the eighteenth century: highly polished cut-steel beads and blue-and-white cameos of Wedgwood jasperware. The industrialist Matthew Boulton (1728–1809) of Birmingham, who specialized in cut-steel articles, is known to have collaborated with Josiah Wedgwood (1730–1795) in combining jasperware cameos and steel settings to make buttons, watch fobs, and chatelaines. It is likely that this hilt originated in Boulton's factory.

Artist

Matthew Boulton|Josiah Wedgwood

Date

ca. 1790

Medium

Steel, Wedgwood jasperware

Culture

British, possibly Birmingham

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942