Badge is a cut above at £4,800

A white-metal regimental badge estimated at £50-100 sold for £4,800 in Perth, Scotland, on September 3. Why? It probably hailed from the time and place of the American War of Independance (1775-83). A big clue to its appeal was the mark to the reverse L Fueter- probably for the New York silversmith Lewis Fueter (1746-84). He was the son of the Swiss maker Daniel Christian Fueter (1720-85) who- sentanced to death in 1749 for his part in a conspiracy to overthrow the aristocratic government- escaped first to London and then to New York. Daniel returned to Berne in 1779 when Lewis took over the running of the family silver business on Dock Street, New York. Silver by either member of the Fueter dynasty is scarce. This oval badge carries the motto of the Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one cuts me with impunity). This was adopted by a number of British Army regiments of the period including the Royal Scots and the Royal Scots Greys.

Click here to read the article written in the Antiques Trade Gazette, 2 November 2019.