Staff Head
early 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
From the early 18th century, plaques, badges and tipstaves had been made in brass as signs of authority. In the early 19th century, members of village friendly societies in the West Country carried ceremonial staves capped with ornamental brasses made in Bristol and probably also in Bridgwater, Somerset. Each society was identified by its own distinctive emblem. Many of the designs represented the names of public houses where the societies had their headquarters.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Brass |
| Brief description | Brass staff head depicting a profile bust of George III and the initials B.S., English, early 19th century |
| Physical description | The design is a profile bust of George III with a huge crown which is pierced with the initials B.S. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | B.S. |
| Credit line | Given by Sir Barry Jackson |
| Object history | This staff-head was used by members of the St. George's Inn Friendly Society, Bitton, Gloucestershire, on their annual walks. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | From the early 18th century, plaques, badges and tipstaves had been made in brass as signs of authority. In the early 19th century, members of village friendly societies in the West Country carried ceremonial staves capped with ornamental brasses made in Bristol and probably also in Bridgwater, Somerset. Each society was identified by its own distinctive emblem. Many of the designs represented the names of public houses where the societies had their headquarters. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.181-1930 |
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| Record created | January 30, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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