C1886-1941 Spanish Officers Gilt ‘Gorgets’ from the Reign of King Alfonso XIII. MISC 866. C1886-1941 Spanish Officers Gilt ‘Gorgets’ from the Reign of King Alfonso XIII. MISC 866. Miscellaneous

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, crescent-shaped gilt gorgets were worn by officers in most European armies, as a badge of rank and an indication that they were on duty. These last survivals of armour were much smaller (usually about three to four inches in width) than their Medieval predecessors and were suspended by chains or ribbons. In the British service they carried the Royal coat of arms until 1796 and thereafter the Royal Cypher. Alfonso XIII -17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941), also known as El Africano or the African, was King of Spain from 17 May 1886 to 14 April 1931, when the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed. He was a monarch from birth as his father, Alfonso XII, had died the previous year. Alfonso's mother, Maria Christina of Austria, served as regent until he assumed full powers on his sixteenth birthday in 1902. 11 ½ cm at their widest point and 4 cm at their curve with the original gold/brass coloured twisted wire with end buttons *one absent* and cloth backing. Mounted onto the gorgets are raised crown emblems over ‘XIII’ beneath an ‘A’ (Alfonso). A very nice pair of gorgets from the reign of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. The price includes UK delivery. MISC 866.