Merchant ensign, Cape Colony (1876-1910 pattern)

Merchant ensign of Cape Colony in the 1876-1910 pattern. The flag is made from wool bunting with a cotton hoist, machine sewn at the ends with selvedge edges. The design is entirely printed onto the fabric. A cord is attached for hoisting, with 'M.P.' written in ink and 'CAPE' stencilled on it. The design is a red ensign with the arms of the Cape of Good Hope in the fly on a white disc. A wildebeest and springbok suppost a crest depicting hope (a female figure with an anchor), gules, a lion rampant, three annulets and in chief argent with three hurts azure, charged with three fleur de lis. The crest bears the motto 'SPES BONA'. The design went out of use after the Union of South Africa came into being in 1910.

Object Details

ID: AAA0721
Collection: Flags
Type: Civil ensign
Display location: Not on display
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Cook Collection
Measurements: Flag: 482.6 x 889 mm