Rare Victorian Enamel, Diamond, and Gem-Set Baronet's Badge of Nova Scotia. English, circa 1874. Designed as a polishe... (Total: 2 Items)

Description

Rare Victorian Enamel, Diamond, and Gem-Set Baronet's Badge of Nova Scotia
English, circa 1874

Designed as a polished gold shield with red enamel lion rampant surrounded by small pearls, averaging 3 mm, faceted emeralds, and sapphires below a red enamel and gold crown, within a blue enamel garter with motto FAX MENTIS HONESTAE GLORIA (Glory is the light of a noble mind), in gold framed by thirty-seven old mine-cut diamonds, weighing approximately 1.85 carats total, the reverse engraved in Roman numerals for March 30, 1874, attached to an oval suspension ring-2 in. including ring, attached to an orange moiré silk ribbon, in original fitted blue leather box stamped Spink & Son, Ltd, 5-7 King St. St. James, London SWI

King James I of England granted the North American colony of New Scotland to Sir William Alexander in 1621 on the peninsula that today comprises the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Ten years earlier, to support the settlement of Ireland, King James had instituted the hereditary Order of Baronets, a "new dignitie between Barons and Knights." On 28 May 1625, he created the Nova Scotia Baronets to support his overseas plantation. Baronets of Nova Scotia were asked to pay the Crown £2,000 (to support 6 colonists) and another £1,000 to Sir William. In 1629, King James authorized the badges, bearing the red lion rampant and suspended from an orange ribbon, for members of the order. No further Nova Scotia Baronets were created after the Act of Union of 1707, which joined Scotland with England in 1707. As a result, all present Nova Scotia Baronets are remnants of these ancient families.

Provenance:
Said to have been presented to Sir Alexander Jardine, 10th Baronet of Applegirth.
Purchased from The Armoury of St. James, London



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