JEFFERSON
Metals
Nathaniel Marchant and Lewis Pingo (Designer and engraver)
Lewis Pingo (Designer)
Nathaniel Marchant (Designer)
Matthew Boulton (Probable maker)
Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom, Europe
1805-1809
Brass; Sheet iron; Iron
Die-stamped
1962.0094.001
Object Number1962.0094.001 |
Cloak pin (Knob or tieback)
JEFFERSON
Metals
Museum purchase
Nathaniel Marchant and Lewis Pingo (Designer and engraver)
See individual entries for biographical information.
Lewis Pingo (Designer)
1743-1830
Nathaniel Marchant (Designer)
1739-1816
Matthew Boulton (Probable maker)
1728-1809
Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom, Europe
1805-1809
1. Mark; Front, lower right; "M.&.P.F." stamped in raised capitals.
2. Inscription; Front, lower right; "JEFFERSON" stamped in raised capitals.
Portrait; Jefferson, Thomas
Brass; Sheet iron; Iron
Die-stamped
2.874 (D) , 2.126 (Diam)
7.3 (D) , 5.4 (Diam)
This brass cloak pin features a profile portrait of the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. The image is in low relief and beneath his left shoulder are letters indicating the names of the designers and die-engravers "M.&P.F." above the larger letters identifying the subject "JEFFERSON." The style of this small, useful brass hardware item is in the manner of contemporary commemorative medals featuring national heroes, such as Jefferson and George Washington or in England, Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson. The designers were engravers for the Royal Mint in London and it is likely that their iron die portraying Jefferson was transferred to Matthew Boulton's Soho manufactory for stamped production into brass curtain tie-backs, cloak pins, looking glass knobs, and small circular boxes lids for the American market. The underside of the brass sufrace has a sheet iron backing and the brass shaft terminates in a flared circular base mounted with an iron wood screw.
[Book] Fennimore, Donald L. 1996 Metalwork in Early America: Copper and Its Alloys from the Winterthur Collection.
• Published: cat. 264, p.383