Images(2)

Officer's Shoulder Belt Plate of the South Carolina Royalists

Dateca. 1780

OriginAmerica, South Carolina, Charleston

MediumSilver

DimensionsOH: 2 1/4; OW: 1 3/4" Weight: 17.28 grams

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2005-251

DescriptionSmall oval shoulder belt plate, of thin gauge material, with applied stud and hook on reverse. The stud is constructed of a simple, round-section post topped by a disk-shaped head (11 mm across). Its hook is of rectangular section. All elements are joined by silver solder.
Label TextThis highly important belt plate is the only known southern example dating from the Revolutionary War. It sits prominently among the few known Loyalist officer's belt plates of American make as perhaps the finest.

Worn by an officer in the American Revolutionary War, this exquisite belt plate is rare because is the only known Southern Loyalist example in existence. The sapling pine tree design bears a Latin motto which translates to, “Under the King it Flourishes.” The South Carolina Royalists were originally raised in East Florida in 1778 and were sent to Charleston in 1780 during the siege of the city. The solid silver plate is perhaps the work of Thomas Coram. An engraver working in occupied Charleston, Coram was known to have sought the business of military officers.
InscribedThe central device is of a sapling loblolly pine, under a "Crown GR," with a ribband inscribed SUB REGE FLORESCIT (Under the King it Flourishes) tied around its trunk. To the left and right are ribbands inscribed So. CAROLINA and ROYALISTS. A feathered edge and a garter & buckle inscribed HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE form the border.
ProvenanceThis item was found by the vendor at either a house or garage sale in New England. It was being sold as a piece of jewelry by people who also had some DAR material, and were aware that the belt plate had desended in their family for ages, but couldn't remember from whom or even what it was - and thus, they sold it to the vendor for a few dollars.

Exhibition(s)