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This beautiful chamberlain’s key is made from gilded bronze. The key features foliage motifs and scrolls decoration with an interlaced monogram surmounted by the Imperial Hanover crown.
George III (June 4, 1738 – January 29, 1820) was King of Great Britain and of Ireland from October 25, 1760, until the union of the two kingdoms on January 1, 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death in 1820. He was concurrently Duke and Prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg ("Hanover") in the Holy Roman Empire before becoming King of Hanover on October 12, 1814. He was a monarch of the House of Hanover but, unlike his two predecessors, he was born in Great Britain, spoke English as his first language and never visited Hanover.
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Historical information
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A chamberlain's key was a rank insignia at the princely court.
Chamberlains were high-ranking noblemen who were appointed to princely courts for direct service to the ruler. They wore a key as a sign of their dignity. This key was often still silvered and actually fit on the door locks of the princely apartments in the 17th century. Since the 18th century, however this has been transformed into a symbolic, magnificent rank badge made of gilded bronze. Its large, richly decorated thigh is provided with the monogram or coat of arms of the employer/ruler. It was worn on a ribbon over the shoulder or on the right hip between two golden buttons and trimmings. The dignity could be awarded several times to different persons at the same time. The chamberlain keys were personally awarded decorations.
