Truly magnificent Georgian starburst likely a badge for the Noble Order of Bucks c.1770.
The central watercolour miniature depicts a pair of bucks drawing Diana the Huntress in her chariot across the Heavens. This is bordered by a gold and enamel garter bearing the society motto ‘Honor the Reward of Virtue’.
The reverse has a sturdy brooch fitting and pendant loop.Likely worn for ceremonial purposes.
5 inches across. Central miniature 1 3/4 inches diameter.
Founded in the early c18th the charitable society had at least 19 Lodges by 1752, even one in Bombay.It continued until the 1820s.There is a paper published 1890 entitled ‘A Forgotten Rival of Masonry:the noble Order of Bucks’.A similar star shaped paste jewel can be found in the British Museum.