Lot 450
A MAGNIFICENT (9th) Q O LANCERS SILVER CENTREPIECE ON PLINTH.
Hallmarks for 1872 by the London Makers Stephen Smith, of considerable size and fine detail. A 9th Lancers Officer with lance in hand, stood beside his horse beneath a palm tree. Complete with sword, saddle, reins, pistol, and associated patrolling equipment of the period. With rocky ground below and engraved on a plain rock-face, 'A 9th Lancer Indian Mutiny 1857-58'.
Then below this where horse, officer and palm tree are all screw mounted hence detachable, a hard wooden shaped base. Below this is the oval shaped lower plinth mount, adorned with a 9th Lancers badge on one panel, in silver form. This taken from the 9th Lancers Pouch design AR entwined with reversed AR, in the associated lot.
Another silver plate on a plinth panel is engraved with the following details.
Surgeon John James Clifford MD was attached to the 9th Lancers around 1854, serving for many years as their Surgeon including during the Indian Mutiny. It was in this War that he was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal with three bars, Lucknow, Relief of Lucknow and Delhi. (See associated previous lot)
It was also here that the Regiment were given their nickname, The Delhi Spearmen for their actions .
Renamed the 9th Lancers in 1861, with several Victoria Crosses awarded to the Regiment over various Wars and Campaigns.
Described as 'The beau Ideal of what a British Cavalry Regiment ought to be in oriental countries.
The centrepiece bearing hallmarks to tree roots, ground and many other parts.
The plinth has a later replacement wooden end turned end fitted.
John James Clifford was born in Sligo Ireland. 8th September 1821.
MD Edinburgh 1843.
7th August 1846 S Staff
18th August 1846 96 Foot.
S Staff 2nd Class 9th Dragoons 27th January 1854.
A Surgeon 2nd Class 9th Dragoons 28th August 1857.
Surgeon Major 9th Dragoons 7th August 1866.
Retired on Half Pay with Hon Rank of D I C 2nd December 1871
Died at Slough Buckinghamshire 3rd September 1889.
His Will states, John James Clifford or sometimes James John Clifford, formerly of Chair in County Tipperary in Ireland. Late of Cloonburg, MacKenzie Street, Slough in the County of Buckinghamshire.
Surgeon of the 9th Lancers who died 3rd September 1889 at Cloonburg. The will was proved at the Principal Registry by the Revd George Hewitt Hodson, of The Vicarage Enfield Middlesex. Personal Estate £2,816,9/2d. The surviving Executor.
See Illustrations
