Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge in 22 carat gold and enamels by A. J. Strachan, hallmarked London 1828, fitted with original gold wide swivel suspension for 55mm ribbon, and complete with correct five-pronged gold buckle and gold top suspension brooch, some loss to green enamel wreaths on both sides and some very minor chips to white enamel arms but overall good very fine and very scarce thus £1,800-£2,200

This example is one of the less expensive or so-called ‘economy’ variety of badge first ordered by William IV as Duke of Clarence in 1827. At his suggestion several jewellers were asked for quotations and by this manoeuvre the cost was reduced to fifteen guineas each, but with a sacrifice to the overall quality. With the sanction of the Duke of Wellington and the Lords of the Treasury, some of the Collars of deceased Grand Crosses which had been returned to stock were melted down and the gold used to manufacture the new insignia. Thus the shortage of insignia for Companions was, for the time being, overcome and although a great saving had been made on the public purse, this saving was illusory because within a decade there was a serious shortage of Collars. Further insignia was ordered in 1842 to meet the demand for newly created Companions of the wars in China and Afghanistan but a return was made to insignia of a better quality. (Ref The History of the Order of the Bath, J.C. Risk).