A most unusual Crimean War ‘sweetheart brooch’ formed from the campaign medal awarded to Private James Watts, 17th Lancers, who was severely wounded in the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava

Crimea 1854-55, the Roman warrior and figure of Victory skilfully cut out from the reverse of the medal to form a skeletal brooch within the original rim which is engraved in serif capitals ‘Jas. Watts. ..th Lancers’, the four clasps for Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol mounted around the circumference, reverse with pin fitting, ‘17’ obscured by solder deposit, bright cleaned, otherwise very fine £300-£500

James Watts, Private, No. 1153, 17th Lancers, was severely wounded at Balaklava, 25 October 1854, and is confirmed in all sources as a participant of the charge of the Light Brigade.

Note: An impressed 4-clasp medal named to ‘J. Watts’ is recorded by the noted collector E. E. Needes as having been offered by auction at Debenham’s on 2 June 1905, and re-offered on the 30th of the same month. The same medal was sold by Glendining’s on 12 December 1918, 28 March 1924, and 21 October 1927. Needes was of the opinion that this ‘impressed’ medal was ‘doubtful’, a conclusion that is perhaps reinforced by its chequered auction history. There is no man of this name in the only other lancer regiment to serve in the Crimea, the 12th Lancers.

Sold with copied research including medal roll entries and relevant pages from Needes’ detailed notes.