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The "Blennerhassett Button" |
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This single brass uniform button is from the livery of a senior household servant or coachman at an Irish "big house" such as Ballyseedy or Churchtown in Co.Kerry, or Riddlestown in Co.Limerick. Of the one-piece "flat" style, before brass uniform buttons became curved or domed, it is 30mm in diameter and displays the Blennerhassett family coat-of-arms, crest and motto. The manufacturer's name "Foley & Croker, 24 College Green, Dublin" is on the reverse. The button shows wear and the loop has broken off, indicating considerable use. Glenn Thompson of the National Museum of Ireland (Decorative Arts & History) at Collins Barracks, Dublin dates the button to c1858-68, years Foley & Croker were manufacturing buttons.
In the same family for many years, known by them as the "Blennerhassett Button", it was inherited from a daughter of Irvine Rowland Blennerhassett of Crickhowell, Co.Breconshire, himself a son of Dr. Edward Blennerhassett MD (b.1838 d.1874) who was of a notable family of Medics from Ballymacprior in Co.Kerry. In 2009 a small number of almost identical copies, in brass, were made for the owner.
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photo: courtesy of Geraldine Pardoe
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photo: courtesy of Geraldine Pardoe
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ARMS: |
gules, a chevron ermine, between three dolphins niant embowed argent |
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CREST: |
a wolf sejant proper |
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MOTTO: |
"Fortes Fortuna Juvat"
(Fortune Favours the Bold) |
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FOLEY & CROKER
24 COLLEGE GREEN
DUBLIN
The Dublin Street Directory in "Thom's Irish Almanac and Official Directory for the Year 1862" has for 24 College Green:
"Foley and Croker, button manufacturer
and trimming warehouse, Foley H. & Croker J." |
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 if you know of a similar button, please get in touch... |
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NOTE: A one-piece silver-plated convex button, 25mm diameter, displaying the Blennerhassett crest "a wolf sejant" and with maker's name “G. & H. Bullivant, Birmingham” on the reverse, was offered for sale in 2007 on eBay. |
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