Sculpture of the Day: The Lily Font, 1841

The Lily Font
Barnard & Co., 1841
Silver Gilt
The Royal Collection

February 10, 1841 was a special day for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Not only was it their first wedding anniversary, but it was also set as the date for the christening of their first child, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa.


The Queen and Prince decided that their daughter should be christened in a new baptismal font and commissioned E.W. Smith of Barnard & Co. to create a magnificent silver gilt font adorned with water lilies which were considered symbols of purity.

The result is The Lily Font which has been used at every Royal christening since 1841. Perhaps it will soon act as a baptismal font for a new generation of Royals.





The Christening of the Princess Royal, 1841
C.R. Leslie