Silver arm badge of a Thames waterman
Arm badge (brassard) of a Thames waterman.
Circular numbered badge made of Sheffield plate (silver on copper) with a ferrous metal backing and four small holes around the rim for attachment to a coat. The central tablet is engraved with the licence number '6363'. Above the number the badge has an embossed oval shield of the City of London arms (a cross and dagger) and 'FREE WATERMAN'. Below is the embossed arms of the Company of Watermen (a shield with a skiff and crossed oars, with dolphin supporters), and their motto 'AT COMMAND OF OUR SUPERIORS'.
The badge would have been worn as an official licence number, sewn to the sleeve of a Thames waterman's coat. The records of the Watermen's Company show that badge number 6363 was worn by Henry Scarlett of Edward Street, Limehouse, East London, who became a Free Waterman in 1824, after being apprenticed to Thomas Platt since 1814.
Circular numbered badge made of Sheffield plate (silver on copper) with a ferrous metal backing and four small holes around the rim for attachment to a coat. The central tablet is engraved with the licence number '6363'. Above the number the badge has an embossed oval shield of the City of London arms (a cross and dagger) and 'FREE WATERMAN'. Below is the embossed arms of the Company of Watermen (a shield with a skiff and crossed oars, with dolphin supporters), and their motto 'AT COMMAND OF OUR SUPERIORS'.
The badge would have been worn as an official licence number, sewn to the sleeve of a Thames waterman's coat. The records of the Watermen's Company show that badge number 6363 was worn by Henry Scarlett of Edward Street, Limehouse, East London, who became a Free Waterman in 1824, after being apprenticed to Thomas Platt since 1814.
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Object Details
ID: | PLT0255 |
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Collection: | Decorative art |
Type: | Arm badge |
Display location: | Not on display |
Date made: | circa 1824 |
Exhibition: | Royal River: Power, Pageantry and the Thames |
People: | Waterman's Company |
Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
Measurements: | 120 x 118 mm |