A RARE CHARLES I SUPPORTER'S PENDANT
MID TO LATE 17TH CENTURY
Auction: Day 1: Wednesday 20 August - Lots 1 - 296
Description
the oval painted portrait on vellum of King Charles I, surrounded by a border of fifteen facetted diamonds in simple collet settings, the reverse set with a facetted rock crystal, with a simple gold suspension loop
Dimensions
18mm high, 2.1g
Footnote
Various Stuart supporters' badges and miniatures including the present lot were created from the 1660’s. Worn by supporters of the Stuart Royal family they would have been hidden under clothing and were highly personal accessories. Examples at this very small scale are rare but indicate the level of fear associated with supporting the Stuarts. They were presumably only shown to other supporters or to back up a person's claim to be a supporter. Their use and significance took on a further role with the ousting of King James and the growing Jacobite cause.
For a silver-gilt supporter's badge of Charles I by Thomas Rawlins see Scottish Works of Art & Whisky, Lyon & Turnbull 12th August 2020 lot 371.