Cut Steel was produced almost entirely during the end of the 18c and the beginning of the 19c. (see Cut-Steel and Berlin Iron Jewellery – Anne Clifford – Adams and Dart). It imitated the sparkle of diamonds – which was very fashionable at this time. Sheets of metal were cut into strips which were then covered with studs fixed with rivets (you can see the rivets from the reverse side of the article). The light bounced off the faceted studs. It was used to produce a wide variety of articles – including buttons and buckles for men. In the late 19c mass production of shoddy sheets of metal that were not riveted helped cut steel to go out of fashion.
