The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a Knight Companion’s K.B. Chapel Stall Plate, one of the earliest known examples from the creation of the Order in 1725 to John Hobart, First Earl of Buckinghamshire, copper-gilt plate, 161mm x 228mm, bearing the family crest, engraved and painted, the lower portion engraved ‘Du Chevalier JEAN HOBART Baronet, un des Commiffaires du Commerce, & pour les Plantations, et Chevalier du tres honourable Ordre du BAIN, Installé le 17me jour de Juin MDCCXXV’, signed lower right ‘Is. Sympson Fecit’, corners pierced for attachment, small loss to lower right corner and paint a little weak in places, a very rare and historic survival £1,500-£2,000

Provenance: Spink, July 1994.

John Hobart, First Earl of Buckinghamshire (1694?-1756) M.P. and a Comissioner for trade and plantations; created K.B. 17 June 1725; Treasurer of the Chamber to George II; created Baron Hobart of Blickling, Norfolk, 1728; Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk; Privy Council 1774; created Earl of Buckinghamshire, 5 September 1746.

The Order of the Bath was re-established by George I on 18 May 1725, and Sir John Hobart was one of the original 37 Knights Companions of the Order of the Bath to be installed on 17 June 1725.

Joseph Sympson was an engraver, mezzotinter and printseller, who studied at Vanderbank’s St Martin’s Lane Academy. He was based at the Dove in Russell Court, Drury Lane.