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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 264

A striking and excessively rare pre-1815 Knight of the Bath Star

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, (K.B.), Knight of the Bath, a superb Regency hinged breast Star by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, 123mm x 112mm, silver, gold and enamel, with tunic loops at each tip extremity, the reverse engraved 'Rundell Bridge & Rundell Jeweller's To Their Majesties. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and the Royal Family.', extremely fine and of the finest quality

The Order of the Bath was established on 18 May 1725. A single-Class Order, it initially comprised - in the period of manufacture of this Star - just the Sovereign, a Prince of the blood Royal as Principal Knight, a Great Master and thirty-five Knights Companion in the following fields:

Members of the House of Commons: 14
The Royal Household: 11
Diplomats: 4
The Walpole family, including the Prime Minister: 3
Naval and Army Officers: 3
Irish Peers: 2
Country gentlemen with Court Appointments: 2

The firm of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell was founded about 1790 and by 1815 operated from 32 Ludgate Hill. It was the principal and perhaps the finest manufacturer of Orders and Decorations in the period. Given the Regency being declared in 1811, and the re-organisation of the Order in 1815, this example can firmly be placed in that period.

In January 1815, by order of the Prince Regent, The Order of the Bath was restructured into three classes: Knights Grand Cross, Knights Commander and Companions. This resulted in a complete overhaul of the Insignia's design. The three crowns were encircled by the now-familiar laurel wreath, with the motto 'Ich Dien' below. This Star comprises the earlier design, as worn by Lord Nelson, Sir John Jervis, Sir John Moore, Sir Thomas Picton and others.

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Sold for
£15,000