Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, G.C.B. (Civil) Knight Grand Cross set of insignia, comprising sash badge in 18 carat gold, hallmarked London 1883, and breast star in silver, gold and enamel, with gold pin for wearing, extremely fine and scarce (2) £2500-3000

Attributed to John, first Baron Savile of Rufford (1818-96) diplomatist; clerk in librarian’s department at foreign office, 1841; attaché at Berlin, 1842; transferred to St Petersburg, 1849; secretary of legation at Washington, 1854; at Madrid, 1858; secretary to embassy at Constantinople, and later at St Petersburg, 1860; envoy to King of Saxony, 1866; transferred to Brussels, c. 1869; British minister in Rome and privy councillor, 1883; retired from service, 1888, and was raised to the peerage; G.C.B., 1885. He was the eldest of the five illegitimate children of John Lumley-Savile, 8th Earl of Scarborough. See also Lots 500, 599, 661 and 671 for related items.