Her Majesty’s Furniture: A French Jewel-Cabinet, 1787

The Royal Collection

Designed by Jean-Henry Riesener, in 1787 for the French Royal Family, this exquisite jewel cabinet was among the many opulent pieces of furniture seized during the French Revolution. Subsequently, it was put on display in a French Museum, but later sold off due to the increasing debt of the French government at the time. Enter Britain’s King George IV with his fascination for French design. The cabinet was quickly purchased (along with a number of other important French items) and added to The Royal Collection.


This cabinet was designed to reflect its use. Sensitively sculpted three-dimensional figures and fittings of ormolu were carefully added to this highly shined walnut piece to give the overall look of it a sense of being a jewel in and of itself. Today, this is considered one of the finest examples of French furniture-making of the period. We should be thankful to King George IV for rescuing it from an uncertain future so that it can proudly represent the tastes of two empires.

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

Her Majesty’s Furniture: A French Jewel-Cabinet, 1787

The Royal Collection

Designed by Jean-Henry Riesener, in 1787 for the French Royal Family, this exquisite jewel cabinet was among the many opulent pieces of furniture seized during the French Revolution. Subsequently, it was put on display in a French Museum, but later sold off due to the increasing debt of the French government at the time. Enter Britain’s King George IV with his fascination for French design. The cabinet was quickly purchased (along with a number of other important French items) and added to The Royal Collection.


This cabinet was designed to reflect its use. Sensitively sculpted three-dimensional figures and fittings of ormolu were carefully added to this highly shined walnut piece to give the overall look of it a sense of being a jewel in and of itself. Today, this is considered one of the finest examples of French furniture-making of the period. We should be thankful to King George IV for rescuing it from an uncertain future so that it can proudly represent the tastes of two empires.

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

Her Majesty’s Furniture: Queen Victoria’s Jewel Cabinet, 1851

Jewel Cabinet, 1851
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty
Queen ELizabeth II

Displayed by Elkington, Macon and Co. at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, this remarkable jewel cabinet was designed by Ludwig Gruner and constructed of oak, silver, copper and porcelain to resemble an over-sized reliquary.  Designed to hold Queen Victoria’s extensive collection of jewels, the cabinet also featured Victoria’s favorite portrait of her husband, Prince Albert, as well as miniature portraits of the six children she bore prior to 1851.  The front of the cabinet also sports the Queen’s coat of arms as well as the crest of Saxe-Coburg for Prince Albert.   The portraits were painted by Andreas Deckelmann and Otto Wustlich.  After the Great Exhibition, the cabinet was given to Queen Victoria and she cherished it always.  Now, it is equally cherished as part of the Royal Collection. 

Her Majesty’s Furniture: Queen Victoria’s Jewel Cabinet, 1851

Jewel Cabinet, 1851
The Royal Collection

Displayed by Elkington, Macon and Co. at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, this remarkable jewel cabinet was designed by Ludwig Gruner and constructed of oak, silver, copper and porcelain to resemble an over-sized reliquary.  Designed to hold Queen Victoria’s extensive collection of jewels, the cabinet also featured Victoria’s favorite portrait of her husband, Prince Albert, as well as miniature portraits of the six children she bore prior to 1851.  The front of the cabinet also sports the Queen’s coat of arms as well as the crest of Saxe-Coburg for Prince Albert.   The portraits were painted by Andreas Deckelmann and Otto Wustlich.  After the Great Exhibition, the cabinet was given to Queen Victoria and she cherished it always.  Now, it is equally cherished as part of the Royal Collection. 

Her Majesty’s Furniture: A French Jewel-Cabinet, 1787

The Royal Collection

Designed by Jean-Henry Riesener, in 1787 for the French Royal Family, this exquisite jewel cabinet was among the many opulent pieces of furniture seized during the French Revolution. Subsequently, it was put on display in a French Museum, but later sold off due to the increasing debt of the French government at the time. Enter Britain’s King George IV with his fascination for French design. The cabinet was quickly purchased (along with a number of other important French items) and added to The Royal Collection.


This cabinet was designed to reflect its use. Sensitively sculpted three-dimensional figures and fittings of ormolu were carefully added to this highly shined walnut piece to give the overall look of it a sense of being a jewel in and of itself. Today, this is considered one of the finest examples of French furniture-making of the period. We should be thankful to King George IV for rescuing it from an uncertain future so that it can proudly represent the tastes of two empires.