Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick, a superb and large hinged breast star by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, silver, gold and enamels, the motto set with small diamonds, the faceted silver rays hinged and mounted on gold springs and with a small gold eyelet for sewing at each point, the reverse back-plate inscribed Rundell Bridge & Rundell, Jewellers to their Majesties, and fitted with original hinged double-pin for wearing, 115 x 112mm, circa 1810-15, one small eyelet replaced, otherwise extremely fine and an outstanding example of a star from this period £6000-8000

Exhibited: Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797-1843, Koopman Rare Art, June-July 2005.

A fascinating star with interesting features which illustrate the transition between sew-on and pin-on stars, and also the final days of the hinged body construction which provided the necessary articulation for the star when sewn onto a coat. The unusual double pin fitments clearly illustrate a new step forward for Rundell Bridge & Rundell, giving the option for pinning the star to the coat. By mid-1815 the firm was producing G.C.B. stars of the newly enlarged Order of the Bath, their bodies of solid construction but still with eyelets for sewing and no reverse pin. By the end of that same year the transition was complete; the stars had become a little smaller and were now fitted with a single vertical pin for wearing, in the manner that still exists today.