Description
An Indian Colonial (Calcutta) silver Fly Plaid Brooch of a Saltire with ribbed texture, ensigned with an Imperial Crown and surmounted by an armorial achievement, set centrally on a separately cast open wreath of a scrolling foliate thistle and lotus design with a monogram CCS at the tie between the lower arms of the saltire, all mounted upon a plain, slightly domed, circular backing plate. These three main components are connected by integral lugs and hooked pins, most of the silver pins having been replaced with base metal fixings. The reverse of the brooch is mounted with a robust silver hinged pin and locking clasp. The silver is of a good gauge and probably of sterling standard.
The brooch reverse carries the maker’s mark H&Co in a rectangular punch, for Hamilton & Co, of Calcutta, the word SILVER and the symbol of an elephant, also in rectangular punches. Marks in this form indicate a date of manufacture circa 1890 (- 1937).
The armorial achievement, being the arms of the City of Calcutta granted in Dec 1896, consists of a shield: Per chevron (Or and Sable), a lion passant guardant (Gules) between two palm trees eradicated in chief (Vert) and a ship under sail in base (Argent); crest: Issuant out of an eastern crown, a sea-lion holding in the dexter paw a lotus flower leaved and slipped (Proper); supporters: On either side a representation of an adjutant bird holding in the beak a serpent (Proper) (not shown: charged on the shoulder with an Eastern Crown Or); and motto: PER ARDUA STABILIS ESTO.
Weight: 132 gm; Diameter: 9.25 cm.
