Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Knight Bachelor’s Badge and C.B.E. awarded to Sir Herman Lebus, Kt., Chairman of Harris Lebus Ltd., one time the largest furniture manufacturer in the world and a company that was responsible for bringing the Arts & Crafts style before a mass audience in the 1900s

Knight Bachelor’s Badge, 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1926, in its fitted case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue, good very fine or better (2) £400-500

Herman Andrew Harris Lebus (1884-1957) was the son of Louis Lebus, a Jewish cabinet maker who immigrated to Great Britain from Breslau, Germany. Herman was educated at the City of London School and followed his father into the furniture business, becoming Chairman of Harris Lebus Ltd.

One time the largest furniture manufacture in the world, the company produced high quality but affordable pieces and was responsible for bringing the Arts & Crafts style before a mass audience in the 1900s. During the Second World War the company undertook secret work on behalf of the Government, at the behest of Lord Beaverbrook, among other assignments being the manufacture of replica Sherman tanks in wood.

Lebus, who was Chairman of the British Furniture Trade Confederation and Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, was appointed C.B.E. in 1920 and knighted in 1946.

Sold with the recipient’s court sword and complete court dress, the whole contained in a japanned metal carrying case, the lid with engraved name plate, ‘H. A. H. Lebus, Esqr., C.B.E.’; the court-dress comprising velvet coat and breeches, assorted waist coats, etc., beaver court hat, with steel loop, and shoes, with cased buckles.

Also sold with two original portrait photographs of Sir Herman, one of them with reverse label for Hugh Cecil at 8 Grafton Street, Bond Street W.1 (Neg. No. 9316-B).