Charles 1st

An interesting collection of mid-17th century silver Charles 1st supporters’ pendants by Thomas Rawlins [circa 1620 – 1670]. They were intended to be worn about the person by friends or partisans of the monarch. They were made in various sizes, some worn as ornamental or honourable decorations, others concealed as tacit memorials of the royal person or cause, where an open avowal of such attachment would have been troublesome or dangerous to the wearer.

The largest in silver depicts Charles on the obverse crowned and with falling lace collar surrounded by motto : CAROLUS DG MAG BRITAIN FR  HIB REX FIB : Charles by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland  king. The obverse depicts crowned Royal Arms surrounded by motto of the Order of the Garter : HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE : shame be he who thinks evil of it. It measures 1.5 inches by 1 and 1/8 inches. One small hole in reverse. £1650

The second in silver circa 1643 depicts Charles with draped laureate bust. On the obverse is a portrait of his wife Henrietta Maria, her hair piled in curls and wearing a pearl necklace. It measures one inch by 3/4 of an inch. £1650

The third in silver depicts Charles with falling lace collar surrounded by motto : CAROLUS DG MAG BRIT FR ET HI RX : Charles by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland king. The reverse depicts crowned Royal Arms. It measures 1 and 1/4 inches by 3/4 of an inch. sold.

The last is a miniature version in silver gilt. The obverse depicts Charles with falling lace collar and the reverse has crowned Royal Arms. It measures one inch by 2/3 of an inch. Minor rubbing to gilding. sold.

All are in original condition. There are similar examples in the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Collection.

Portrait of Charles 1st as a martyr, his earthly crown being lost for the celestial. In his final speech on the execution scaffold Charles declared, “I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown, where no disturbance can be.” [Museum of London].