THE LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR FRANCIS LLOYD, GCVO, KCB, DSO (1853-1926) DESK SEAL
AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY ROCK CRYSTAL AND SILVER-GILT MOUNTED DESK SEAL
£1,071
Auction: 17 October 2023 from 10:00 BST
Description
The baluster rock crystal handle with an engraved lion rampant, the domed terminal engraved 'fecit Cecil Thomas 1914' the silver-gilt mount to the neck with embossed Roman lettering 'HWY PERI CLOD NA GOLUD', the mount to the terminal modelled as a stylised coronet, above a laurel wreath, to a canted rock crystal matrix with engraved coat of arms
Dimensions
Length: 8cm, matrix: 2.6cm x 2.1cm
Footnote
Note:
Lieutenant General Sir Francis Lloyd (1853-1926)
Born to a military family, Lloyd was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant into the 33rd Regiment (or The Duke of Wellington's Regiment) in 1874 after which he transferred to his father's regiment, the Grenadier Guards, later that year. Two years later he was promoted to full lieutenant. On the occasion of the coronation of George V in 1911 he was made a Knight Commander of the Bath. In 1913, at the age of 60, his command of the Welsh Division expired. He was promoted to Major-General commanding the Brigade of Guards and GOC London District. In 1913 Lieutenant General Sir Francis Lloyd was appointed to the supreme position reserved for Guardsmen, the command of the London Districts. The war saw an extension of his responsibilities to include the hospitals and main railway terminals??? in the metropolis.
On his death in 1926 his funeral was held at Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks.
Unusually for this seal we not only know who it was made for by who made it. Created by Cecil Thomas (1885- 1976) who was a s a sculptor and gem carver by trade. He received many important commissions from all over the world including gem carving for the House of Fabergé.