{"product_id":"george-iii-cudgel-or-stave-traces-of-original-paint-god-save-the-king-possibly-naval","title":"A George III cudgel or stave with traces of original paint - 'God save the King\"","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA very unusual painted hardwood cudgel or stave dating to the late 18th or early 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOf heavy construction, with a long shaft terminating in a large rounded ball end, the surface retains traces of its original painted decoration, including the partially surviving inscription \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“GOD SAVE…”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, almost certainly originally \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“GOD SAVE THE KING.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Further painted decoration survives above, although this is now too worn to identify with certainty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe exact purpose of the piece is uncertain. Its form could suggest a constable’s stave or truncheon; however, these would more typically carry a royal cipher, arms or other device denoting the authority of the bearer. Expert referral has suggested that the patriotic \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“\u003c\/b\u003eGod Save the King”\u003c\/span\u003e inscription would be highly unusual in this context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe patriotic wording may instead point towards a military association, possibly a sailor’s cudgel or club, although this cannot be stated with certainty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe piece has considerable age and wear, particularly to the sides of the rounded ball end, consistent with prolonged and regular use. Some cracking to one side of the shaft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasuring:\u003c\/b\u003e 45 cm (18”) in length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnglish, late 18th \/ early 19th century.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rob Hall Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48131020849317,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1151\/3980\/files\/IMG_8514_565bc631-45d0-4607-83ea-5455bbf564e0.jpg?v=1786457332","url":"https:\/\/robhallantiques.com\/products\/george-iii-cudgel-or-stave-traces-of-original-paint-god-save-the-king-possibly-naval","provider":"Rob Hall Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}