A Rare Suite of 6 ‘Jumbo’ Georgian (George III) Tunic Buttons with V&A Museum Provenance
The Ultimate "Trophy of Arms" – A Curated Archival Discovery
We are delighted to offer this exceptional set of six matching 40mm Georgian buttons, representing a peak of 18th-century British metalwork and social history. Authenticated in 1943 by the Director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, this suite is not merely a collection of fasteners, but a documented archive of the "Golden Age of Archery" and British military gentry.
The Iconography: A Bespoke "Trophy of Arms"
Measuring a substantial 40mm (nearly 1.6 inches), these ‘Jumbo’ specimens feature a complex "Trophy of Arms" design rather than a standard genealogical crest. At the heart is a decorative Rococo-scrolled shield, flanked by crossed Georgian smallswords—the quintessential mark of the Officer class. Most significantly, the design features a strung bow and quiver of arrows, identifying these as a bespoke commission for an elite Georgian Archery Society or the personal sporting livery of a high-ranking official.
The Construction
A sophisticated multi-part assembly characteristic of late 18th-century luxury buttons. Each piece features a brass frame with a chased scalloped border and a gadrooned edge meticulously crimped over a dark brown core of pressed horn or boxwood. The central brass motif is individually pegged in, creating a bold three-dimensional profile against the organic backing. The reverse is finished with a Japanned brass plate, featuring an oval aperture for the integrated wire shank.
The Provenance: A Museum-Vetted Pedigree
What sets this suite apart is its provenance. Accompanying the buttons is the original typed correspondence from the Victoria & Albert Museum, dated March 2nd, 1943. Signed by the esteemed Director, Sir Eric Maclagan, the letter formally dates the pieces to the Period of George III and remarkably identifies them as an "interesting specimen" that the museum had not previously encountered.
Rarely do we encounter Georgian metalwork with such specific iconographic detail and pedigree. A centrepiece set for any collection, offering a rare window into the elite sporting societies of the George III era. These are essentially masculine jewellery of the highest 18th-century pedigree.
The Details:
- Period: George III (c. 1760–1820)
- Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
- Construction: Mixed-media: Pegged brass motif over an organic core, framed in brass with a Japanned brass backplate.
- Documentation: Original 1943 V&A Museum Letter (included).
- Condition: The set remains in very good antique condition. A few "teeth" are missing from the gadrooned edges—a natural sign of their two-century history that does not detract from the striking visual impact of the suite.