A FINE VICTORIAN ROYAL ARTILLERY MESS UNIFORM WITH BELT AND ...

Hammer

£240

A FINE VICTORIAN ROYAL ARTILLERY MESS UNIFORM WITH BELT AND POUCH WORN BY ALEXANDER RICHARD KIRKPATRICK. The black short shell jacket with gilt braided borders and seeded buttons, with scarlet lining and label for J.B. Johnstone Dublin and London, and in ink below 'A R Kirkpatrick Esq R.A.' With corded epaulettes with a single star for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, with Queen's Crown Royal Artillery buttons. With breeches with broad scarlet stripe and buttons marked 'Mc Bride & Sons St James's S.W.'. With fringed sash and black leather belt and pouch bag with wavy bullion borders and finely worked gilt buckle and fittings, the end of the belt with VR within a cartouche beneath a crown, with flechette darts on an oval backing with rose, thistle and clover decoration. The pouch bag with conforming VR monogram within a cartouche beneath a crown.
Alexander Richard Kirkpatrick J.P. of Donacomper near Celbridge in Co. Kildare (1813-1891). Born on the 6th August 1813 the oldest son of William of Donacomper Kirkpatrick and Mary Carr. He studied at Trinity Hall where he was both very wealthy, the family estates amounting to some 3,700 acres, and hunting mad, no doubt to the detriment of his studies. He married Catherine Louisa Trench in August 1854. A Barrister at Law from 1840 he is listed in the Ireland Directory at 18 Mountjoy square south, Dublin, Later being recorded as a JP and Magistrate. He is buried amongst members of his family at Donacomper Cemetery, County Kildare. The family sold Donacomper, an early 19th century Tudor-revival house, in 1965 following the death of Sir Ivone Kilpatrick a distinguished Diplomat, to the American Bredin family who retained much of the contents, the uniform may well have left the property at a sale of the residue at this time.
See Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland 1958.
Provenance: ex collection of Daniel H.F. Gillman of Dun Laoire and Bray Co. Wicklow. (1909-2005). Gillman and his brother Sylvester were regular attendees at Coutny House auctions. Being Irish Georgian Society members, they were noted for their knowledge and collections of such items being credited in a number of relevant books including the 2nd edition of Mark Bence-Jones 'Guide to Irish Country Houses of 1988. *CR Jacket with signs of alteration or repair at cuffs, right elbow and possibly collar, signs of wear and a couple of small holes. Breeches with signs of wear. Sash and shoulder belt and patch with some signs of age and use. Generally a very fine uniform with magnificent shoulder belt and pouch.