Lot 20 , A rare Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms officers coatee and shako, c.1840,
A rare Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms officer's coatee and shako, c.1840, the scarlet cloth coatee with gold bullion work and blue velvet collar and cuffs, with portcullis in silver on the collar and embroidered wreath and crown and portcullis in silver on back skirts, nine buttons down the front and two at waist behind and three to each cuff embossed with Garter Star and Tudor portcullis in the centre, the brass fish scale epaulettes with crescent ends surrounding 'HCGA' and laurel wreath in silver, label for 'Wm. Webb, Gold Laceman to the King and the Duke of York, 48 Piccadily' together with a gold bullion work aiguilettes, the bell-top shako with gilt brass plate designed as a crowned garter with laurel wreath centred by a silver 'VR', the gilt chin-scales, with 'VR' and oak, thistle and rose wreath bosses, the tin shako box bearing a label with coats of arms for 'M.C. Walker'
Estimate £800-1,200
Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms is a bodyguard to the British Monarch. Until 17 March 1834, they were known as The Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners. Today the Corps consists of five Officers (the Captain, the Lieutenant, the Standard Bearer, the Clerk of the Cheque and Adjutant and the Harbinger) and 27 Gentlemen.
Matthew Clement Webb is named in the London Gazette as retiring from the Honourable Corps of Gentleman at Arms at St James' Palace, March 25th 1844.
The shako has a black gum like coating to the top and to the peak which has signs of shrinkage and marks over it, the leather sides of the body have been badly split and glued and patched together with tape on the inside and the loose leather lining on the inside of this is a bit worn and with some holes in places, the shako plate is very slightly bent on the crown but generally in good condition, the chin strap may be missing a few of the scales as there is a few gaps between the velvet lined strap, the coatee has heavy wear and freying to the black silk lining on the inside of the collar and is discoloured to the bullionwork on the exterior of the collar with the odd loose thread apparent, the scarlet velvet material has a few holes in it showing the fabric lining underneath and some heavy blue / black discolouration to the right sleeve, the front left just below the collar, lower right at the bottom and on the shoulder beneath the epaulette and a few small patches going down the left sleeve and at the bottom next to the cuffs there is some discolouration and then some heavy discolouration under the left arm and the side and the tails of the coatee heavily stained coloured with a few small holes, the two tails have some bullion work badges at the bttom and buttons at the very top, the epaulettes are held in position with some cords, one has come away at the top holding it in position, however it does reveal a nice original label for William Webb the maker of the epaulettes, the aguilette has some wear to some of the folds of the bullion work with unpicked threads showing and is generally a little dull. A rare survivor in any condition.
Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.
Sold for £3,400