A Fine Quality British Antique Royal Navy Red Ensign Flag c.1920

Origin: British
Period: Early Twentieth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1920-30
Height: 18 inches
Width: 34 inches

Of small proportions and double hand stitched in heavy cloth, this appliqué red ensign flag would have more than likely flew from a small tug boat.

There are no tears or rips and the overall condition, considering the age is superb with only one or two small areas of slight thinning. The original rope and good quality cast iron toggle fixing are both present and correct.

The Red Ensign or "Red Duster" as it’s endearingly known is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as a British ensign flown by the Royal Navy and later specifically by British merchantmen. The precise date of its first appearance is not known, but surviving receipts indicate that the Navy was paying to have such flags sewn during the 1620s. It is currently used as the civil ensign of the United Kingdom.

In a rather uncommon size this is a flag made to the highest possible standard and could be put to use on the ocean just as easily as it could be framed and displayed.