A Victorian silver rowing prize arm badge

A Victorian silver rowing prize arm badge,

by W. R. Smily, London 1848,

oval form, with chased oak leaf and acorn border, the centre chased with the crest and arms of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen on a matt ground, within a leaf and berry border, inscribed 'Given by the United Parishes of St. Botolph Aldgate, St. John's Wapping & St. George's in the East. Sept. 19th. 1822, Won by Andw. Walker', the reverse with one ring attachment, length 17.4 cm, approx. weight 4.9oz.

Provenance: The James Walker Collection, Christie's South Kensington, 13th July 2006, lot 231.

September 19th, 1822, would have been the date that this prize was established. The use of the arms of the Company of the Watermen and Lightermen on this badge suggest that freedom of the Company was part of the prize as was sometimes the case.