  We demonstrate scaffolding of plasmonic nanoparticles by topological defects
induced by colloidal microspheres to match their surface boundary conditions
with a uniform far-field alignment in a liquid crystal host. Displacing
energetically costly liquid crystal regions of reduced order, anisotropic
nanoparticles with concave or convex shapes not only stably localize in defects
but also self-orient with respect to the microsphere surface. Using laser
tweezers, we manipulate the ensuing nanoparticle-microsphere colloidal dimers,
probing the strength of elastic binding and demonstrating self-assembly of
hierarchical colloidal superstructures such as chains and arrays.
