Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 292

Sold by Order of the Family

The Sheriff of the City of London Chain of Office worn by Sir H. C. Buckingham, C.B.E., during his tenure of 1910-11

Sheriff of the City of London Chain of Office, the Chain comprising six gold medallions with enamel decoration, these linked by detailed florally engraved triple gold chain, together with a large central medallion, with the Coat of Arms of the City of London, with fittings for the Badge, this 160mm x 108mm, dated '1910-11', with central Coat of Arms with motto 'SOYONS LOYALS' and three supporting Coats of Arms of Harrow School, Truro, Cornwall and the Worshipful Company of Skinners, all of the finest quality goldsmithing of exhibition standard, by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd., each individual piece and link hallmarked 18 carat gold and for 1910, good very fine

Total weight of 893g including enamel-work. The coats of arms that decorate the chain include the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, the Worshipful Company of Skinners, the Coat of Arms of Truro, Cornwall, the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, Harrow School, the Worshipful Company of Loriners and the presumed personal Coat of Arms of H.C. Buckingham's family. These particular coats of arms were chosen because they represent fundamental parts of Buckingham's life: his heritage, education and work. The practice of personalising the Sheriff of the City of London's Chain of Office is still practiced to this day.

Henry Cecil Buckingham was born in May 1867, the son of Joseph Hicks & Lucy Webster Buckingham, of Truro & Lancaster Gate. He claimed descent from Sir Owen Buckingham, who had been Lord Mayor in 1704. Educated at Harrow and privately in France, young Buckingham joined the family firm of gentlemen's outfitters and eventually became its Chairman.

Apprenticed to Barton Kent, of the Skinners Company in 1888, he was admitted to the Freedom and Livery of the Company in 1896, becoming its Master in 1918-19.

Having served as Sheriff of the City of London, alongside Sir Charles Johnston, the position is a truly ancient one. It is pursuant to a Royal Charter of Henry I, circa 1131, the Liverymen of the City elected two sheriffs of "London and Middlesex" upon payment of £300 per annum to the Crown.

Knighted in 1911, his C.B.E. followed in 1920 and was elected the Conservative Member of Parliament for Guildford in the 1922 election, a seat held up until his death in office on 1 August 1931. A member of the City of London Advisory Committee of the Ministry of National Service, Buckingham was a member of the Carlton, Ranelagh & M.C.C., living with his wife at 27 Hans Place and Seale Lodge, Farnham. He is buried in the Buckingham family vault in Highgate Cemetery.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£50,000 to £70,000

Starting price
£48000