Royal. A George IV three-coloured 18k gold mounted field-marshall’s baton presented by George IV to his brother Ernst Augustus Duke of Cumberland, John Northam, London, 1821

the red-velvet staff applied with royal lions, each end chased with three-colour gold flowers borders, the top surmounted by St George and the Dragon, the bottom engraved 'From His Majesty / George IV/ King of the United Kingdom / of Great Britain and Ireland / to  ' Field Marshal / His Royal Highness / Ernest / Duke of Cumberland / K.G / 1831'

Sotheby's Hanover, 5-15 October 2005, lot 2211

Fine chasing and clear marks. Gold top with few nuts missing so slightly loose. Velvet lining slightly worn commensurate with age, junction can be seen and slightly stretched out in the upper part. Overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ernest Augustus, (1771-1851), created Duke of Cumberland in 1799, was the fifth son of King George III and thus seemed unlikely to ever become monarch. After his education and military training in Hanover, he joined the Hanoverian army in 1790 and saw fierce action against the French which caused him the loss of one eye and a permanently scarred face. Upon his return to England in 1796, he entered politics and soon became a leader of the right of the party, known for his extreme Tory views, while following a long and strenuous career in the army which culminated when he was gazetted field marshal in 1801.
The rank of a field marshal has been the highest one in the British Army since 1736: only 141 men have held this rank until today, the most recent one being Charles, Prince of Wales, in 2012. Batons such as this field marshal’s staff were signs of honour and recognition for military successes given to commanders since the Renaissance, and part of their uniform. This one was given to the Duke of Cumberland on the occasion of the coronation of his brother George IV. George IV made sure that his Coronation in London and his subsequent travels were spectacular occasions. His Coronation alone cost nearly £250,000, a tenth of which was spent on his sumptuous robes. As Robert Huish in An Authentic History of the Coronation of His Majesty, King George the Fourth, (London, 1821, p. 248) noted, ‘The coup d’oeil, which was afforded to the spectator by this condensing into one small place [Westminster Abbey] of all the proudest ornaments of English chivalry, was one of the grandest and most magnificent scenes which was ever witnessed.’

The death of William IV in 1837 changed the Duke of Cumberland’s destiny, as he inherited the throne of Hanover while his niece inherited the throne of England, according to the different succession laws prevailing in the two kingdoms. This ended the personal union between the British Isles and Hanover that had existed since 1714 and King Ernest I became the Hanover's first ruler to reside in the state since George I. He died after fourteen years of reign, 'his ceremonial lying-in-state underlined his military and political contributions: Beside the King lay, on silver silk cushions, the Crown and Sceptre of Hanover, his busby and sabre, his English Field Marshal’s staff and the Chains of the Order of the Garter and of St. George.’ (The Hanover sale catalogue, 2005, p. 224).