The Most Noble Order of the Garter, an impressive and large Garter Principal King of Arms badge, gold and enamels, 56.8g overall, circa 1820-30, unmarked as usual for officers’ badges of this period, the cross of St George beside quartered shield of the Royal arms bearing the Hanoverian shield, surrounded by the oval Garter and motto in gold on blue enamel ground, crown above, the reverse of the same design, fitted with gold suspension loop with knurled lock-nut for wear from a chain or ribbon, 119mm x 45mm overall, slight loss of enamels at junction with crown and several other minor chips, otherwise nearly extremely fine, of excellent quality and extremely rare £15,000-£20,000

Provenance: Baldwin’s Auction, September 2009, Lot 1193.

There are potentially three Principal Garter Kings of Arms who could have worn this badge, each of whom would probably have commissioned a badge upon appointment to the office:

Sir Isaac Heard, Principal Garter King of Arms 1784-1822
Sir George Nayler, Principal Garter King of Arms 1822-31
Sir Ralph Bigland, Principal Garter King of Arms 1831-38

From July 1883 such insignia of office became returnable to the Crown upon resignation or death.