Badge, livery badge

In City of London companies 'liverymen' traditionally wore a gown and hood to gain entry to the Common Hall, or assembly, at the Guildhall. By the 1760s liverymen were showing a reluctance to wear the traditional gown and so badges were introduced by many companies.

Company Masters continued to wear their gowns until the later 19th century when they were issued with badges of office. This one was worn by George Briggs, a Master of the Girdlers' Company in 1922-1923. The badge features the Company's coat of arms, a shield with three gridirons on it, and the motto 'Give Thanks to God'. The design also features Saint Lawrence the Martyr, the patron saint of Girdlers. The shield of the City of London can be seen above.