Gifts of Grandeur: A Set of Five Platinum Eternity Bands or Guard Rings, 1920-40

Guard Rings
1920-1940
England
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here, we see a set of five platinum guard rings set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Today, we’d refer to these rings as Eternity Bands and, they’re quite in fashion again. This set was made between 1920 and 1940.


These narrow rings are set with a continuous line of matching, single-color stones. Such rings initially became very fashionable during the 1930s. They were worn either next to or instead of a plain, gold or platinum wedding band. Of course, diamonds were the most popular choice, others were often set with emeralds, rubies or sapphires. One famous lover of such rings was Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent. On her marriage in 1934 to Prince George, the Duke of Kent (son of George V and Mary of Teck), she selected three - one of rubies, one of diamonds and one of sapphires, the colors of the Union Jack.

Masterpiece of the Week: The Thirteen Miniatures Gold Box, 1850-61

God Box with Thirteen Miniatures
Commissioned by Queen Victoria
The Royal Collection

This glorious gold presentation box was set with thirteen miniature paintings by William Charles Bell (1831-1904), William Essex (1784-1869) between 1850 and 1861.
The miniatures show: Queen Victoria; Princess Victoria (×2); Prince Albert Edward; Princess Alice; Prince Alfred; Princess Helena (×2); Princess Louise (×2); Prince Arthur; Princess Beatrice; and Prince William of Prussia

Each is rendered in enamel. They are mounted on a rounded rectangular gold box with hinged lid. The whole of the box is covered with etched tendrils and Tudor roses on a trellis.

Each enamel miniature was given as a gift by Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in commemoration of their wedding anniversary, 10 February 1859. They were mounted on the box after the Prince Consort’s death in 1861.

Sunday Morning Special: The Wedding of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

On April 26, 1923, The Duke of York married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon at Westminster Abbey. Little did he know that one day he would be king. Elizabeth who was reluctant to marry into the Royal Family, might not have done so if she knew that she would one day be the Queen Consort. However, as both Queen Consort and Queen Mother, Elizabeth proved to be steadfast and loyal—perfect for her Royal life.


Let’s take a look at some silent footage of their beautiful marriage.

Reminder: Punch’s Cousin will Return on Monday

As Punch’s Cousin continues with Chapter 346 on Monday, we see that Marjani has just rescued The Duke of Fallbridge from an attack by Marie Laveau. Mr. Punch had gone with Marjani to the Place Congo to find Barbara and Charles who had both fallen victim to Marie’s odd scheme. It seems Marie—through her magic—has become pregnant with a child she feels will encompass all the evil in the world. Ulrika Rittenhouse and Iolanthe Evangeline tried, in their own peculiar way, to help Marjani escape, but it wasn’t soon enough. Marie struck the Duke’s head with a rock, causing him to fall unconscious.

Meanwhile, the injury seems to have made Julian hallucinate that he’s engaged in a conversation with Albert, the Prince Consort who is determined to guide Julian through a journey into his long-suppressed past. As Julian follows the Prince into a mirage of his former nursery, Mr. Punch is struggling to contact his “master.” Furthermore, outside of Julian’s body, Marjani, Robert and Cecil are trying to revive him.

This week, you’ll join Julian on his journey. Will he recall what made him separate into several different personalities? Will his friends be able to revive him?

What of Adrienne? She’s at their Royal Street House with Agnes Rittenhouse. That can’t be a good thing. Agnes, after all, now works for Barbara. Alone in that house with two infants, Adrienne may find herself in a position for which she was not prepared. Look for an unlikely heroine to come to Adrienne’s defense.

My many thanks to all of you who have been following Punch’s Cousin for your kind comments and emails. If you’ve miss any chapters, you can always catch up on what you’ve missed at the Punch’s Cousin Chapter Archive.

Card of the Day: The Regalia in the Tower of London

The twenty-second card in the Churchman Cigarette Silver Jubilee Series in honor of King George V and Queen Mary shows the coronation regalia on display in the Tower of London with the Crown Jewels. We see them in an elaborate cage. Now, they are in a far more secure container.


The Crown Jewels have been at the Tower of London since around the Seventeenth Century. They were displayed behind bars, to help prevent episodes like the notorious theft of May 9, 1671, when Thomas Blood and his friends bound and gagged the Keeper of the Crown Jewels and tried to steal them. They were subsequently caught and captured.

Jewels in the Tower, 1905
The Historic Royal Palaces

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Wedding Anniversary Plaque, 1785-90

Plaque
Silver, 1785-1790
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This plaque, in the form of a neo-classical temple, is surmounted by an urn and laurel wreaths and encloses two figures. The figural group shows Victory about to crown a woman with a laurel wreath. Above the figures, we see the coat of arms of the city of Leiden, flanked by the arms of two unidentified families.

The work of Christoffel Mittscherlich, a German goldsmith and artist from Amsterdam, in the fashionable Neoclassical style of the Late Eighteenth Century, this magnificent creation of silver in ornate openwork was made to adorn a book cover.

The numerals XXV (25) are engraved in the center. Given this and the appearance of two family arms, we can deduce that this plaque may commemorate a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

Coming this Week to Stalking the Belle Époque

Fashion, unusual objects, rare gems, previously unseen photos, gorgeous paintings, glorious sculptures and amazing artifacts await you in the coming week of Stalking the Belle Époque.

We’ll also take a look at two remarkable men and the mark they’ve made in the world. On a different note, this week marks the broadcast network end to daytime’s All My Children. Join me as we take a look back at the show’s last forty-one years as we celebrate Agnes Nixon’s brilliant creation.

All this, plus, a lot more are in store. I look forward to sharing it all with you.