United Kingdom. A Victorian 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Chapka Plate

In die-stamped brass, illustrating the Royal coat-of-arms, composed of a shield within an oval garter inscribed "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE", flanked by a lion at the left and a unicorn at the right, surmounted by the Victorian crown, with a ribbon banner below inscribed "DIEU ET MON DROIT", the arms above the 17th Lancers insignia illustrating a skull backed by cross bones, with the regimental ribbon banner below inscribed "OR GLORY", the insignia framed by three Old English letters, a "D" at the left, a "C" below and a "O" at the right (the acronym for Duke of Cambridge's Own), with a long ribbon banner at the base inscribed "SEVENTEENTH LANCERS", with three stacked ribbon banners inscribed with battle honours on either side, the three at the left inscribed "ALMA, INKERMAN, CENTRAL INDIA" and backed by branches of laurel leaves, the three at the right inscribed "BALACLAVA, SEVASTOPOL, SOUTH AFRICA 1879" and backed by branches of oak leaves, measuring 200 mm (w) x 119 mm (h), blackened reverse with both screwposts intact, very light contact, near extremely fine.