Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a rare and interesting G.C.B. (Military) Knight Grand Cross ‘button-hole’ badge, 29mm x 29mm, gold and enamel, with a gold ‘Bath’ crown on riband as worn by a Knight of the Garter, and top gold riband buckle, nearly extremely fine, rare £1,200-£1,600

Ex Clayton Collection; Spink, May 2001.

By Order of H.R.H. The Prince Regent, Badges of those Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath who were also Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter were to be surmounted by a crown. The group was small and select. The only persons qualified were the Prince Regent; the Royal Dukes of York, Kent, Clarence, Cumberland, Cambridge, and Gloucester; and the Duke of Wellington. Although the custom soon lapsed, four different badges were produced; one for the Collar Chain; one for the Sash; another for wear around the neck; and a small version for wear from the button-hole. (The History of the Order of the Bath, by J. C. Risk refers).