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VINTAGE YACHT CLUB COMMODORE / OFFICER GOLD BULLION BLAZER BADGE
HEAVY METALLIC WIRE EMBROIDERY • VELVET FIELD • THREE-STAR NAUTICAL INSIGNIA • RIGID PIN-BACK CONSTRUCTION
A striking piece of vintage nautical regalia, beautifully executed in dimensional gold-tone metallic bullion wire embroidery over a soft ivory/cream velvet field.
This is not a lightweight modern cloth patch. The badge is built on a substantial rigid circular foundation with raised hand-worked metallic embroidery, a densely braided bullion border, dimensional nautical motifs and three separate clutch-style mounting posts on the reverse. The workmanship has the formal, tailored appearance traditionally associated with yacht club officer uniforms, commodore regalia, blazer crests and ceremonial maritime insignia.
At the center is a distinctive black, red and white triangular yacht-club-style burgee / pennant emblem, surrounded by elaborate gold bullion nautical ornament and three bullion stars.
Three-star configurations are associated with Commodore insignia in some traditional yacht-club uniform systems, although the exact issuing yacht club represented by this particular burgee has not yet been identified.
The quality is immediately apparent in person. Multiple types of metallic wire have been used throughout the design, including tightly coiled bullion, smooth metal purl, twisted edging and a broad braided outer border. The embroidery stands noticeably proud of the velvet surface, creating the sculptural relief characteristic of higher-grade formal bullion work.
Unlike a typical flexible sew-on patch, this example is rigid and structured, essentially functioning as a formal badge or removable blazer crest. The reverse is finished in black fabric and fitted with three metal posts with clutch fasteners, allowing the insignia to be mounted securely to a jacket, blazer, uniform, display board or collection.
A particularly attractive piece for collectors of:
vintage yacht club memorabilia, commodore insignia, nautical patches, maritime badges, sailing collectibles, yacht burgees, bullion embroidery, gold wire patches, vintage blazer crests, officer insignia, naval-style regalia, maritime uniform accessories, boating memorabilia, yacht club history, heraldic emblems, vintage patch collections, preppy/Ivy nautical clothing accessories and unusual high-quality textile work.
The combination of the ivory velvet ground, brilliant metallic embroidery and bold red/black burgee gives this piece a very classic mid-century yacht-club / old-school maritime club appearance. It would display beautifully framed with vintage sailing ephemera, mounted in a maritime shadowbox, incorporated into a blazer or simply kept as an example of traditional bullion embroidery.
CONDITION: Excellent vintage condition. The velvet background remains clean and attractive with no noted stains, tears or significant damage. Gold bullion work is remarkably well preserved with no obvious missing major elements, pulled sections or significant snags. Central burgee remains vivid and intact. Braided perimeter trim is complete. The rigid backing remains solid, and all three rear mounting posts/clutch fasteners are present. Please review all close-up photographs, which form an important part of the condition description.
SIZE: Approximately 3 inches in diameter; please refer to the measurement photograph for exact scale.
IDENTIFICATION NOTE: Exact yacht club has not yet been positively identified. The central design appears to represent a club burgee, and the three-star officer configuration is consistent with traditional Commodore-style yacht-club insignia. It is being offered as an unidentified vintage yacht club / nautical officer bullion badge rather than attributed to a specific organization without documentation.
