Lotus - original 1960s vitreous enamel on gilt badge remounted onto a new leather keyfob

An original Lotus keyfob badge which will have been produced in the 1960s which we have remounted onto a new leather keyfob as can be seen in the photos.

We have just this one keyring to offer with this badge – when this keyring has been sold this listing will be cancelled.

A very early Lotus vitreous enamel on gilt keyfob badge which dates from the 1960s which we have remounted onto a new keyfob in full grain black leather .

The badge is in really excellent condition with solid yellow & translucent green vitreous enamel – this is only the 3rd or 4th early gilt badge which we have ever listed over the years and is by far the best example .

The last example of this badge ( also remounted onto a new leather keyfob like this one ) was listed & sold in November 2022 .

In the 1960s the badges were made in relatively small batches and the enamel was individually hand laid – the enamel on this badge still has that lustrous shine which it would have had when first fired.

The bright gilt plating on the badge has mellowed to give a most attractive soft ‘antique gold’ finish which is a process which takes place over the years with these 50 year old gilt plated badges .

As can be seen we have fitted a splitring in a similar finish to match the mellow plating on the badge .

The very earliest Lotus keyrings ever produced did not have a badge at all – they were simply black leather keyfobs with the details & Wymondham address embossed onto the leather keyfob .

We have only ever seen just two examples of these .

Lotus then had keyrings produced with the badge design in this listing in both nickel & gilt plated finish – probably not many were produced as the badges and keyrings are rare .

This badge will be original & date correct for use with 1957 -1968 Lotus Seven,  1958 – 1963 Lotus Elite, early 1962 – 1971 Lotus Elan and possibly also early 1967 -1971 Lotus Europa .

The keyring in the photos is the actual one that you will receive.