A George III painted and parcel-gilt beech tipstaff, probably for an official of Westminster


Painted with the Royal Arms in use between 1801 and 1837, and with the cipher 'G III R', and with the arms of Westminster, the handle ribbed, 23cm high
|The Royal Arms are here rendered with a central shield overlaying the other four quarters, as in use between 1801 and 1837. The cap or crown which should top this shield is, however, lacking, so it is unclear whether they are the arms in use between 1801 and 1816 (beneath a cap), or the arms used between 1816 and 1837 (beneath a crown). The 'G III R' cipher, however, together with the central shield, means this tipstaff must date between 1801 and 1820, when George III died.The upper part of the small coat of arms beneath the Royal Arms conforms to the coat of arms of Westminster, but the lower part is vacant. It is unclear, therefore, whether this truncheon was held by an official of the abbey or the parish.