Stock No. 6254	Victorian silver badge of the Ancient Order of Foresters
	Victorian sterling silver badge of The Ancient Order of Foresters. London 1841. Above the main body of the badge is a crest of a stag looking left. Below this is a coronet and below this a pair of hands in handshake. The central part of the badge is in the shape of a decorative cross with eight sections. On four of these sections are engraved a flower at the top with four leaves (which could be a stylised rose except that the leaves are wrong), a thistle with two leaves on each side and four shamrocks at the bottom. All in bright-cut engraving. The centre of the badge has a circular piece of ivory under glass with a decorative border. The ivory is painted with a very charming picture of the Foresters' coat of arms, with two foresters in ancient dress on either side and the Society's motto beneath. Below the central body of the badge is suspended a bow with two crossed arrows and beneath that is suspended a horn between both ends of which there is a ribbon tied in three bows, a central flower and two sashes. Around the edge of the central dome on the back of the badge is engraved: COURT METROPOLIS, OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS No. 713, JUNE 28th/41. The centre of the dome is inscribed: Presented to Br. James Bimson P.C.K. of the above Court, for his Good and Meritorious Services in the above Court. There are two silver lugs on the back of the badge through which the ribbon is slotted so that the badge can be worn round the neck. -
	Maker :- MS

Condition :-Extremely good indeed with crisp hallmarks and engraving. Just one slight dent on back and a few spots of sediment on the inside of the glass (due to age) covering the central picture.
Hallmarked :- London 1841
Size :- 8.3 inches (21.0 cm) long x 4 inches (10.1 cm) at widest point
Weight :- 3 ozt (93 g)
This is a very striking and delightful badge. The Ancient Order of Foresters was a type of Friendly Society or Guild Society. Members paid a certain amount of money to the Society each week and, in return, they received a certain amount of money in times of illness or trouble. More research is being carried out at the present time on the Order of Foresters and on the recipient, Brother Bimson.

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