silver badge with motto “Quaesitum meritis”.... - Tarporley Hunt Club,

Hi,
I picked up this badge yesterday and bought it simply because it seemed well made and had a good weight to it , as well as being attractive!
The seller seemed to think it was a regimental badge and  I had no reason to doubt him.
Now that I’ve had a chance to research it on the internet I really haven’t found out any more about it!
The motto “Quaesitum  meritis” seems to have links with the hunting fraternity rather than with the military but that’s as far as I’ve got!
I’m rather surprised that I’ve found out so little about the badge, it seems really well cast and despite no markings on it I think it is silver....
Can anyone shed any light on this little badge please ?
Thanks!

Pity it's not hallmarked if it's silver. Would have given a date. Fox hunting pins are a thing and the Victorians loved their badges. As it's silver I would have thought = Victorian. C20th would have more likely been enamel.

Is that a swan ?

eBay: Hunting-Memorabilia-Badges-Pins

Thanks for the info, you’ve given me food for thought!
Yes it looks like a swan with a crown half way down its neck and also a spiral of what I imagine is meant to be rope wrapped around the body ?
It’s a handsome piece and seems well made, which is why I’m quite puzzled that it seems so difficult to identify!

Hello silverbug, I'm a little late to the party but can solve your mystery. What you have is a pin from the Tarporley Hunt Club, Lancashire, Britain's oldest hunt club and still extant, albeit as a dining club only these days. The club has met since its earliest days at the Swan Hotel, Tarporley.
The Latin motto translates as 'the search for rewards'.

Hmmm Tarporley is in Cheshire isn't it?

Geography was never my strong point.

An image search for 'Tarporley Hunt Club' should bring up some images of the book 'The Green Jackets', a history of the club and Cheshire hunting in general. The club motif appears on the rear of the dustcover.

Fantastic , thanks for the information!
I hadn’t managed to find out anything more since August , that’s solved the mystery totally, and yes having viewed the back cover of the book you mention the motif is indeed the same as on my badge!
Thanks again!

My.pleasure, silverbug.

I love a happy ending