A late 19th century diamond and gem-set bar brooch,
104
A late 19th century diamond and gem-set bar brooch, circa 1890
Set centrally with a stylised letter 'A' highlighted with rose-cut diamonds, encircled by a tied belt enamelled with the phrase "Honi soit qui mal y pense", all to a gem-set coronet surmount, length 5.4cm., fitted case
Sold for £648 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Formerly the property of Lieutenant General Clifford Parsons

    Lieutenant General Clifford Parsons was born in 1840. He served with The Seaforth Highlanders, a historic regiment of the British Army. In 1873, as a major, he joined the staff of Arthur, Duke of Connaught, Queen Victoria’s son. On leaving the Duke’s service, he was presented with this tiepin comprising the Duke’s coat of arms. The central embellished letter ‘A’ within a belt enamelled with the phrase “Honi soit qui mal y pense”. This is the motto of the English Order of the Garter and its literal translation from Old French is “Shame be to him who thinks evil of it”.

    Clifford later became Commandant of Sandhurst and then Judge Advocate General, re-writing the Queen’s regulations and army instructions. He was a popular and admired man, referred to as ‘The beloved General’. Clifford left the tiepin to his son Cecil, who subsequently had it made into a brooch and passed it onto his twin sister Maud Parsons. The brooch has since remained in the family and been passed down through the generations.

Category: Jewellery

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