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Pictured: The ceremonial staff.

A rare ceremonial relic which may have been brandished at George IV's coronation has been discovered 199 years later during a house clearance.

The early 19th century gold mounted staff of office, an item carried by high status people to denote prestige, was unearthed in a property on the outskirts of London.

The 8ins rock crystal and ivory object displays the emblem of a gold crown with a lion engraved below.

Its discovery has sparked excitement from experts as the engraving resembles the style used on coinage during George IV's reign. Several paintings show dignitaries and courtiers carrying staves while entering Westminster Abbey on his coronation day on July 19, 1821.
This staff is now being sold with London-based auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb who expect it to fetch £7,000.