29 Order of Saint Patrick - Badge of the King of Arms, ca. 1800.

Round badge of the Order made of gold on both sides with finely engraved crown, the Irish harp and the cross of St. Patrick. 

Surrounded by the inscription with the motto of the order: "QUI SEPARABIT" and the year of foundation of the order; "MDCCLXXXIII" (1783).

Large circular suspension ring.

The relatively plain engraved gold insignia of the Order of Saint Patrick are typical of the early period after the institution of the Order in 1783.

In his book "The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick", 1983, Peter Galloway depicts some insignia of knights of the order in a comparable design and of similar workmanship.

As an insignia of an officer of the Order, however, the badge offered here appears to be the only known example of its kind.

In total there were only eight Kings of Arms (Ulster) of the Order of Saint Patrick from 1783 - 1943.

Due to the late 18th / early 19th century date of manufacture of this piece of insignia, this decoration was most likely worn by Rear Admiral Sir Chichester Fortescue (King of Arms of the Order of Saint Patrick from 1788 - 1820).

Fortescue was appointed King of Arms of the Order on 31 January 1788 and was invested on 21 February 1788. He died in this position on 22 March 1820.

Important early decoration of the Order and to my knowledge the only decoration of an Officer of the Order of St Patrick ever offered at auction.

76 x 51 mm.

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