Small Treasures: The Production, Retail and Consumption of Jewellery in Dublin, c.1770 to c.1870

This thesis intends to investigate the production, retail and consumption of jewellery in Dublin during the period c.1770 to c.1870, by analysing the market from the perspectives of makers, retailers and consumers. Dublin as the centre of manufacture, retail and consumption forms the geographical focus of this research.1 The jewellery tradesmen who carried on business in the capital represented many, if not all, aspects of the trade. Furthermore, Dublin was a centre of consumer activity. In addition, the only Irish assay office was located in the capital.2 Dublin port was the primary gateway for imports from Britain and Europe.3 Throughout the eighteenth century and into the nineteenth, a ‘greater assortment of goods was made in or imported into Ireland’4 and this thesis will demonstrate that Dublin was the nexus of the Irish jewellery trade. Provincial jewellers and consumers are considered, although an in-depth study of the provinces falls outside the scope of this thesis