Item Description
Original Item. Only One.
An offering of epic proportions! This is an original Regimental Standard actually taken on parade or into battle by the "Life Guards", Great Britain's most senior cavalry regiment, and in fact the most senior Regiment in the entire British Army. Raised in 1658 by King Charles the Second while still in exile as his personal guard, the regiment has held this position ever since. It has seen a mass of service over the years and bears honors for the Battle of Dettingen, 1743, the Peninsula War 1809-1813, the Battle of Waterloo, 1815, and the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir in 1882. It saw service in the Boer War, WW1 and took part in the Normandy landings in WW2.
In other words, the history of the Life Guards Regiment is nothing short of glorious. These are the cavalry outside Buckingham Palace wearing Red tunics with breast and back plates, and white horse hair plumed helmets, tasked with guarding the Royal Palace.
This particular standard is the Regimental Standard in use immediately after the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt in 1882. Great Britain was reaching its zenith and Queen Victoria virtually ruled 20% the World, the largest Empire to date.
Measuring 36" x 24" with gold thread fringe it is constructed of substantial red brocade with very heavy gold thread embroideries of three Crowns over "V.R." and all the listed Battle Honors above. It is housed in its own glazed doubled sided ornate gilt and carved frame measuring 40" x 48" and even has its original gilt roping attached.
These Standards are extremely rare as they were the portable flags taken on parade and into action at the time of Britain's greatness.
Virtually never seen on the open market these are most always placed in the Regimental Museums upon retirement, this one perhaps only leaving the Regiment with a retiring Commanding Officer as a sign of great esteem. In a private collection for almost 20 years, here in the United States, it is a miracle that this once again sees the light of day.
Victorian splendor and tradition at it's very best
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