Mastery of Design: A Snuffbox Commemorating the 1911 Coronation

Snuffbox
1911
Garrard & Co.
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

From the archives of The Royal Collection, we have this important snuffbox of gold, enamel and diamonds by Sebastian Henry Garrard (of Garrard's, as one would guess).  The snuffbox, boasting watercolor on ivory portraits of King George V and Queen Mary, was made in 1911 expressly for the coronation.  

But, it gets better.  The piece was later engraved, on the inside of the gold lid, per Queen Mary's instructions and presented by Her majesty upon the day of the coronation of her son, "Bertie," (better known to us as King George VI) in 1937.  Following the whole "Abdication Kerfuffle" (TM), I'm sure Mary was relieved to have Bertie on the throne and happily presented this handsome present to her Number 2 son.  The 1937 engraving reads:

To 

King George VI. 

in remembrance of his Coronation, 

from his devoted Mother, 

Mary R. 

May 12th 1937.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The hinged, oval, gold and enamel box features a lid inset with glazed oval miniatures of Their Majesties, framed with rose cut diamonds, surmounted by a diamond and enamel crown, and with a diamond-set monogram below.  Queen Mary is depicted in a white gown with Garter, and her favorite pearls.  George V is shown, facing slight left in his uniform, Garter and assorted medals and orders.

Each side of the box is dazzling as the sides are alive with blue enamel with borders of white and green foliage and flower-heads.  The reverse, or underside, shows masterful engine turning applied with a silver and enamel Garter star. 

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mastery of Design: A Snuffbox Commemorating the 1911 Coronation

Snuffbox
1911
Garrard & Co.
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

As you all know, I peruse the archives of the Royal Collection each day(usually around 2:00 AM) in search of new additions as the vast treasures within are newly photographed and displayed for the public.  

I'm quite thrilled, on this, the (day after the) anniversary of the 1911 coronation, to have found, newly added to the archives of The Royal Collection, this important snuffbox of gold, enamel and diamonds by Sebastian Henry Garrard (of Garrard's, as one would guess).  The snuffbox, boasting watercolor on ivory portraits of King George V and Queen Mary, was made in 1911 expressly for the coronation.  

But, it gets better.  The piece was later engraved, on the inside of the gold lid, per Queen Mary's instructions and presented by Her majesty upon the day of the coronation of her son, "Bertie," (better known to us as King George VI) in 1937.  Following the whole "Abdication Kerfuffle" (TM), I'm sure Mary was relieved to have Bertie on the throne and happily presented this handsome present to her Number 2 son.  The 1937 engraving reads:

To 

King George VI. 

in remembrance of his Coronation, 

from his devoted Mother, 

Mary R. 

May 12th 1937.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The hinged, oval, gold and enamel box features a lid inset with glazed oval miniatures of Their Majesties, framed with rose cut diamonds, surmounted by a diamond and enamel crown, and with a diamond-set monogram below.  Queen Mary is depicted in a white gown with Garter, and her favorite pearls.  George V is shown, facing slight left in his uniform, Garter and assorted medals and orders.

Each side of the box is dazzling as the sides are alive with blue enamel with borders of white and green foliage and flower-heads.  The reverse, or underside, shows masterful engine turning applied with a silver and enamel Garter star. 

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

So, yay for this!  I was glad to find it!

And, thus, we begin another week.  See you all here tomorrow for some new stuff, the next chapter of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, and a "Treat of the Week."

Mastery of Design: Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother's Crown, 1937

Crown of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Garrard & Co, 1937
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Garrard & Co made this crown in 1937 for the Coronation of King George VI and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother). The frame of the crown is constructed of platinum which is set with over 2,800 diamonds (these are mostly cushion-shaped, however, some are rose-cut and some are brilliants). The crown’s band is made of alternating mounts in the shape of crosses and rectangles. This band is bordered with rows of brilliant-cut diamonds.

At the front of the crown, a large diamond has been mounted. This diamond was given to Queen Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey in 1856. Four fluers-de-lis and four crosses- pattée surmount the bottom band. The central cross was created to hold the remarkable Koh-i-Noor diamond. This monumental gem was set in a detachable mount so that it could be removed after the Coronation for use elsewhere.

The half-arches are detachable as well so that the crown could be worn without them by the Queen upon the State Openings of Parliament. Her Majesty wore the crown without these arches, also, at the Coronation of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. The arches are surmounted by a pavé-set monde and a cross which once held the Lahore Diamond which had been given to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in 1851. Presently, since the Lahore is in use elsewhere, a rock crystal replica is set into this cross.

The crown is fitted with an ermine band and purple velvet cap. In addition to the three major diamonds, the majority of the stones on this crown were removed from Queen Victoria’s Royal Circlet. It’s notable that the Koh-i-Noor has been set into the crowns of Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Object of the Day: A Punch Magazine from the 1937 Coronation

A new addition to my growing collection of Punch Magazines, we see here the Coronation Number from 1937 and the unexpected coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) following the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM). Filled with beautiful images—both color and black and white—Mr. Punch guides us through the Coronation celebrations with his usual style. Aided by Dog Toby, we get Punch’s take on the new king and the dawn of a new era.

Of course, in many ways, the advertisements take center stage and give us a glimpse into the fashion and technology of London in 1937. I’ll let it speak for itself.

Mastery of Design: Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother's Crown, 1937

Crown of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Garrard & Co, 1937
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Garrard & Co made this crown in 1937 for the Coronation of King George VI and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother). The frame of the crown is constructed of platinum which is set with over 2,800 diamonds (these are mostly cushion-shaped, however, some are rose-cut and some are brilliants). The crown’s band is made of alternating mounts in the shape of crosses and rectangles. This band is bordered with rows of brilliant-cut diamonds.

At the front of the crown, a large diamond has been mounted. This diamond was given to Queen Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey in 1856. Four fluers-de-lis and four crosses- pattée surmount the bottom band. The central cross was created to hold the remarkable Koh-i-Noor diamond. This monumental gem was set in a detachable mount so that it could be removed after the Coronation for use elsewhere.

The half-arches are detachable as well so that the crown could be worn without them by the Queen upon the State Openings of Parliament. Her Majesty wore the crown without these arches, also, at the Coronation of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. The arches are surmounted by a pavé-set monde and a cross which once held the Lahore Diamond which had been given to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in 1851. Presently, since the Lahore is in use elsewhere, a rock crystal replica is set into this cross.

The crown is fitted with an ermine band and purple velvet cap. In addition to the three major diamonds, the majority of the stones on this crown were removed from Queen Victoria’s Royal Circlet. It’s notable that the Koh-i-Noor has been set into the crowns of Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Object of the Day: A Punch Magazine from the 1937 Coronation

A new addition to my growing collection of Punch Magazines, we see here the Coronation Number from 1937 and the unexpected coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) following the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM). Filled with beautiful images—both color and black and white—Mr. Punch guides us through the Coronation celebrations with his usual style. Aided by Dog Toby, we get Punch’s take on the new king and the dawn of a new era.

Of course, in many ways, the advertisements take center stage and give us a glimpse into the fashion and technology of London in 1937. I’ll let it speak for itself.

Painting of the Day: Preparing for the Coronation, 1937

Preparing for the Coronation
Martin Hardie, 1937
Part of Queen Mary's post-Great War "Recording Britain" Effort
The Victoria & Albert Museum
Click image to enlarge.

In honor of both King George V and Queen Elizabeth II, we have here a very special watercolor depicting King George VI (George V and Queen Mary’s second son, Bertie, and father to Queen Elizabeth II). 

Painted by Martin Hardie (1875-1952) in 1937, the scene shows the local preparations of West Malling (Kent) for the coronation of King George VI.  This coronation was almost going to be that of King Edward VIII, but thanks to Wallis Simpson and the Abdication Kerfuffle ™, “Bertie” stepped in and ascended the throne in his elder brother’s place. 

Hardie cleverly has given us an almost candid view of West Malling’s townsfolk hanging bunting on buildings in the town square.  


Pardon me for a moment while I hawk some mugs and t-shirts.  But, don't you want your very own  Abdication Kerfuffle ™ items?  I know you do.