Intriguing Royal Marines badge carved out of bone

[MrsW]

I have a hand carved badge fashioned from bone, it is in two pieces and clearly very old, the back is made of dark resin or similar material and follows the outline of the front but slightly larger so creating a dark outline. The design is a globe with a map of India surrounded by a laurel wreath with a crown on top and a lion on top of that, an internet search indicates that it probably represents the Royal Marines. The two pieces are held together with very fine string and there is a pin on the back. It reminds me of POW carving.

All comments very welcome, I would love to know it's history, thank you.

[Phil2M]

The back is tortoise shell

[magpie]

The back is more probably horn.

[Pembird]

Depending on its size, this appears to be a handmade sweetheart broach made sometime after 1911 approx.

[Alex Rice]

Are you sure it is bone? It could be ivory.
Cheers,
Alex

[MrsW]

Originally Posted by Phil2M

The back is tortoise shell

Never thought about that, thank you Phil!

[MrsW]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Are you sure it is bone? It could be ivory.
Cheers,
Alex

Hi Alex, I'm not sure, my husband swears it's bone, but I would be inclined to say it's ivory.
Thank you! The husband will be delighted to know that once again I'm right

On a serious note, have you came across anything similar?

[MrsW]

Originally Posted by magpie

The back is more probably horn.

Thank you

[MrsW]

Originally Posted by Pembird

Depending on its size, this appears to be a handmade sweetheart broach made sometime after 1911 approx.

It's about 5 cm tall. Very useful comment thank you.

[peter monahan]

Post deleted

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Pembird

Depending on its size, this appears to be a handmade sweetheart broach made sometime after 1911 approx.

I certainly looks to have age but I believe this pattern badge did not come into use until after merger of Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry circa 1923

https://rmhistorical.com/files/content/Cap%20Badges.pdf

See page 5 onwards in the link

Mike

[1664]

What a beautiful thing. I’m pretty certain the back is horn and the front bone, but can’t quite see clearly enough in the picture to be certain. The India on the globe is interesting and makes me think this might be WW2 when many Marines were based there, the crown looks more Indian than African as well. If you ever want to sell it I’d love to give it a good home.

[Sunray9]

Something similar here ... still not sure if it's bone or Ivory, but I would suggest a 'sweetheart' badge judging from the metalwork.

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by MrsW

Hi Alex, I'm not sure, my husband swears it's bone, but I would be inclined to say it's ivory.
Thank you! The husband will be delighted to know that once again I'm right

On a serious note, have you came across anything similar?

There are loads of things like this around, different badges for different unit, and all sorts of materials. The bone / ivory on horn is quite unusual though. Very nice!

[dumdum]

I'll put my lot in if I may. I'd go with ivory for the front and tortoise shell (or I believe turtle shell is more accurate...) for the back.

I have an Egypt made "NZ/ Onward" badge that looks very similar and, as has been suggested, there are many materials and designs that were produced. The fittings to the reverse range from the true professional to the rank amateur beginner metalwork class level!

Up in the Islands during WW2, the Fijians (and others I imagine) made a specialty of badges made of turtle shell with pieces of aluminium inset.

The latter no doubt courtesy of the latest "prang" by P/O Prune......