The Georgian 'Toy shop'

These objects represent the type of work available in a ‘toy-shop’ of the early Georgian period. These shops did not supply children’s playthings but small precious items, ranging in value from only a few shillings for a buckle or comb to several guineas for a gold or jewelled snuff box. Frederick, Prince of Wales is known to have frequented a number of these toy-shops in London and Bath, spending as much as £700 in a single visit.