Orders, Decorations and Medals

United States of America, THE ORDER OF CINCINNATI, membership badge, gold and enamel, 25mm overall height, reverse centre badly chipped, otherwise good very fine and rare, early 19th century

The Society of Cincinnati: At the end of the American War of Independence, many officers on the point of demobilisation and who had served with Washington wished to maintain formal links with the Revolution. On 15 April 1783 the Artillery Commander, General Henry Knox proposed the formation of a fraternal patriotic association for officers of the Navy, regular (Continental) American Army and French forces under General Rochambeau and Admiral de Grasse. The society originally attracted about 2400 members and its charter, known as the Institution, was drawn up in May 1783. The Society took its name from Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, who saved Rome in the 6th Century B.C., and whose life closely paralleled that of Washington.The Society insignia was designed by Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant and Washington was given a diamond studded version by the French Navy. In 1784 the French formed their own branch under the patronage of Louis XVI. Many of these original members lost their lives during the Reign of Terror following the French Revolution. George Washington served as the first President General of the Society until his death in 1799 when he was succeeded by Alexander Hamilton. Other distinguished founder members included Lafayette, Steuben, John Paul Jones, President Monroe and St. Clair. The male lineal descendants of the original members continue the Society to this day.