Governor General of India’s Body Guard, fine gilt officer’s button 22mm, early 19th century

This fine gilt button of the Governor General’s Body Guard is 22mm and has the backmark GIBSON &Co. CALCUTTA . It conforms in general design to the one illustrated in Ashok Nath: Izzart. Historical Records and Iconography of Indian Cavalry Regiments 1750-2007. [New Delhi 2009] in showing the crest of the East India Company within a wreath of laurel. It is illustrated on p xvi of the book and noted as the earliest known example. We have an example of that button illustrated in this category but the present one differs in being of flatter style, having a rim, and showing the torse on which the lion stands in quite a different form. It generally has an earlier style. The button retains virtually the full original gilt finish. Although we have not seen this maker / retailer on other buttons the name is found on the blades of some early 19th century swords. oct11/1