Honourable East India Company - A George III sterling silver gilt officer’s gorget, London

Honourable East India Company - A George III sterling silver gilt officer’s gorget, London 1802 by IR, perhaps John Reily (reg. 20th Feb 1801) or John Robertson (reg. 14th Sep 1802) Universal pattern, of characteristic form, the front engraved with the coat of arms of the Honourable East India Company surmounted by a helm with the motto Auspicio regis et senatus Angliæ. Each side engraved with ribbon tied trophies of war. Fully marked to the side. Together with a gilt copper example, engraved with the same arms surmounted by a crest of a lion rampant gardant holding an imperial crown, with a chamois leather backing. (2) Length – 11.1 cm / 4.5inches Silver weight – 53 grams / 1.7 ozt Two regiments of Royal East India Volunteers were raised in London in September 1796 and were joined by a third in 1798; all survived the 'Peace' of Amiens in 1801-03 and continued into the 19th century, being officered and manned from among the staff and employees of the East India Company in the City of London and with the principal role of defending the Company's docks, shipping and possessions; each regiment had two battalions, each with a strength of at least six companies