The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle, K.T., Knight’s set of insignia worn by the 5th Marquis of Queensberry (1777-1837), comprising official investiture sash badge, 58 x 41mm, 18 carat gold, hallmarked London 1821, maker’s mark ‘JJE’ for John James Edington, and breast star, 88 x 80mm, silver, gold and enamels, the reverse fitted with gold pin for wearing, complete with original full dress sash with tie ribbon and contained in a later fitted case, extremely fine, an exceptional set of great rarity £25000-30000

Provenance: Glendining & Co., December 1982, ‘The property of a Lady of Title’.

Queensberry was one of the four extra Knights elected on 17 July 1821, in contemplation of King George IV’s coronation two days later, although he did not receive the ensigns until the 19th April the following year.

Sir Charles Douglas, 5th Baronet of Kelhead (1783) and 5th Marquis of Queensberry (1810), was born in March 1777. He was married, on 13 August 1803, to Caroline, 3rd daughter of the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K.G., and had issue of eight daughters. Upon the death of the 4th Duke of Queensberry in December 1810, the dukedom and some of his other titles passed to Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch; but the marquessate of Queensberry descended to Sir Charles Douglas as the 5th Marquis of Queensberry. He was a representative peer for Scotland 1812-32, and was created a peer of the United Kingdom as Baron Solway of Kinmount in June 1833. Upon his death, on 3 December 1837, this latter title became extinct but the Scottish titles devolved upon his brother, John.