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Victorian Royal Irish "Good Luck" Shamrock Pendant

Victorian Royal Irish "Good Luck" Shamrock Pendant

$350.00

Description

DATE: Victorian, 1899

This attractive late Victorian pendant was made as a good luck charm, most likely to be given to a member of the Royal Irish Regiments fighting in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The Regiments played an important role in the Battle of Slabbert's Nek (July 1900), and, after fighting in some particularly bloody battles in March 1900, Queen Victorian wrote to General Sir Redvers Buller: "'I have heard with the deepest concern of the heavy losses sustained by my brave Irish soldiers. I desire to express my sympathy and my admiration of the splendid fighting qualities which they have exhibited throughout these trying operations. V.R.I." As a kind of reward for their bravery, Victoria was "pleased to order that in future on Saint Patrick’s Day all ranks in Her Majesty's Irish regiments shall wear as a distinction a sprig of shamrock in their head-dress to commemorate the gallantry of Her Irish soldiers during the recent battles in South Africa."

This pendant features a sprig of shamrock on the front above the year 1900, all in green enamel, and to the reverse the letters V.R.I (Regina Victoria Imperatrix) in red and blue enamel.

MEASUREMENTS

2.4 x 2.0cm

WEIGHT

3.3g

MARKS

English hallmarks for Sterling Silver, London 1899 - SM & Co maker's mark

CONDITION

Excellent, with light antique patina

Victorian Royal Irish Good Luck Shamrock Pendant Victorian Royal Irish Good Luck Shamrock Pendant Victorian Royal Irish Good Luck Shamrock Pendant Victorian Royal Irish Good Luck Shamrock Pendant

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