Antique Image of the Day: A Dutch Toy, 1814

Image from The British Museum

A Dutch Toy!!!-Or, a pretty Play-thing for a Young Princess!!! Huzza

Titled as the above line reads, this satirical print depicts Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent (later King George IV) and Caroline of Brunswick.  

In this scene, Princess Charlotte is seated enthroned under a canopy.  She wears the "Prince of Wales' Feathers."  In her hands, she's holding a pantin (a jointed puppet), pulling the string so that the figure's legs and arms are extended.  The pantin is holding a flag inscribed surmounted by an orange.  The flag reads, "Orange Boven."  Meanwhile, the puppet looks at the princess pleadingly.

What's behind this hand-painted engraving?

Princess Charlotte, like many a princess before her (especially one who was thought to be Queen one day) was essentially being told who she should marry.  She preferred Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Uncle of Queen Victoria as well as Prince Albert, Victoria's consort).  Meanwhile, George preferred his daughter to marry the Prince of Orange, and, soon, Orange and Charlotte were engaged.

Charlotte wrote:

No arguments, no threats, shall ever bend me to marry this detested Dutchman.

Eventually, George gave in for the sake of his only (legitimate) child and his only hope of having one of his own continue on the throne after he died.  Princess Charlotte broke off her engagement in a letter of June 16th, giving as reasons, that 'from recent circumstances:

I am perfectly convinced my interest is materially concerned with that of my Mother, and that my residence out of this Kingdom would be equally prejudicial to her interest as to my own.

That Charlotte did this only increased her popularity more.  Though this print suggests that Princess Charlotte had a thing for the Marquis of of Lansdowne (not to be confused with the Baron Lensdown), she really only liked Leopold.  

George IV consented to this and Charlotte and Leopold were married May 2, 1816.

But, she died.  

Charlotte passed away after giving birth to a stillborn son.  She complained, "They've made me tipsy," and was found dead after bleeding terribly.

Had she lived, she would have been Queen after the death of her father and Leopold would have been Prince Consort.  After the death of George IV, the throne went to his brother, William IV, and, then, to his niece, Queen Victoria who married Prince Albert as her consort.  Leopold really pushed for the marriage of the two cousins (Victoria didn't mind, she fancied Albert) so that at least ONE Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha at the side of the British Queen--a role which escaped him in his own life.  Still, he did okay, becoming King of the Belgians.  So, don't cry for him.

Unusual Artifacts: A Miniature Vinaigrette, 1800

Miniature Vinaigrette
1800
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Here we have a miniature vinaigrette which is designed to resemble a coffee table (in gold) with a coffee service of six coffee cups with saucers and spoons, a sugar bowl with spooon and a coffee pot (in parcel gilt) attached to the top. The wee table featues cabriole legs and a hinged top.

If you’re not familiar with the term, “vinaigrettes” were boxes designed to hold scented sponges. These were used by both men and women to prevent inevitable fainting fits and counteract the myroad unpleasant smells inherent to life in the city.

When the Victoria & Albert Musem acquired this miniature vinaigrette it contained a card from the donor which offered the following story:

This vinaigrette was the property of Princess Charlotte (daughter of George IV) who died in 1817. An ancestor of mine, name probably Wyatt, was librarian to the above King and saved the vinaigrette when the princess threw it into the fire in a fit of temper. I cannot verify this account but I think it probably correct.

According to the V&A, research indicates that there never was a royal librarian with the name of Wyatt. However, the architect James Wyatt and his son Matthew Cotes Wyatt were frequent visitors to the palaces during this period.

I imagine that Princess Charlotte—throughout her short, unhappy life—had many reasons to throw a variety of objects into the fire. So, I like to think that this story is true. 

Masterpiece of the Week: Charlotte, Princess Royal and Prince William, later Duke of Clarence

Charlotte, Princess Royal and Prince William
Johann Zoffany, circa 1770
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Image Courtesy of Queen Elizabeth II

Painted for King George III and his Consort, Queen Charlotte, this painting is the work of Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) and depicts Charlotte, the Princess Royal and Prince William (later, the Duke of Clarence and later King William IV)—two of their children.

This portrait is one of a pair depicting the four eldest children of George III. The other depicts Prince George (later King George IV) and Prince Frederick. The paintings were clearly created to be viewed from a low point-of-view, looking up. They were once displayed above twin doorways in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in 1841. According to the Royal Collection, “prior to this however they seemed to have moved around, without an obvious home.” So, it’s hard to say for where they were originally intended. 

Zoffany has created a scene with his usual sense of humor wherein the children and their dog seem to have climbed into a theatrical architectural setting. Their mischievous expression belies the grandeur of the setting and the seriousness of the drapery and floral arrangement.

Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture: Harpo

"Where are Zeppo and Chico?"

Image:  Caroline, Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte, Creator: Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) (artist), Creation Date: 1801, Materials: Oil on canvas, Acquirer: Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1819-1901), Provenance: Painted at Blackheath for the Marchioness of Townshend; purchased by Queen Victoria.

Original Image -- Crown Copyright, The Royal Collection.  Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

To learn more about this painting, visit its official entry in the catalog of the Royal Collection here.  I also wrote about this painting of Queen Caroline (when still Princess of Wales) a couple of years ago, and you can read that here.

Go on...buy a Bertie Dog mug, tee-shirt, bag or other nifty thing.  It's not too late for Christmas.

You, too, could have a cup of tea with Bertie. Or, you could wear his picture proudly. Visit our online store to see our range of Gratuitous Bertie Dog products.

Print of the Day: A Dutch Toy, 1814

Image from The British Museum

A Dutch Toy!!!-Or, a pretty Play-thing for a Young Princess!!! Huzza

Titled as the above line reads, this satirical print depicts Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent (later King George IV) and Caroline of Brunswick.  

In this scene, Princess Charlotte is seated enthroned under a canopy.  She wears the "Prince of Wales' Feathers."  In her hands, she's holding a pantin (a jointed puppet), pulling the string so that the figure's legs and arms are extended.  The pantin is holding a flag inscribed surmounted by an orange.  The flag reads, "Orange Boven."  Meanwhile, the puppet looks at the princess pleadingly.

What's behind this hand-painted engraving?

Princess Charlotte, like many a princess before her (especially one who was thought to be Queen one day) was essentially being told who she should marry.  She preferred Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Uncle of Queen Victoria as well as Prince Albert, Victoria's consort).  Meanwhile, George preferred his daughter to marry the Prince of Orange, and, soon, Orange and Charlotte were engaged.

Charlotte wrote:

No arguments, no threats, shall ever bend me to marry this detested Dutchman.

Eventually, George gave in for the sake of his only (legitimate) child and his only hope of having one of his own continue on the throne after he died.  Princess Charlotte broke off her engagement in a letter of June 16th, giving as reasons, that 'from recent circumstances:

I am perfectly convinced my interest is materially concerned with that of my Mother, and that my residence out of this Kingdom would be equally prejudicial to her interest as to my own.

That Charlotte did this only increased her popularity more.  Though this print suggests that Princess Charlotte had a thing for the Marquis of of Lansdowne (not to be confused with the Baron Lensdown), she really only liked Leopold.  

George IV consented to this and Charlotte and Leopold were married May 2, 1816.

But, she died.  

Charlotte passed away after giving birth to a stillborn son.  She complained, "They've made me tipsy," and was found dead after bleeding terribly.

Had she lived, she would have been Queen after the death of her father and Leopold would have been Prince Consort.  After the death of George IV, the throne went to his brother, William IV, and, then, to his niece, Queen Victoria who married Prince Albert as her consort.  Leopold really pushed for the marriage of the two cousins (Victoria didn't mind, she fancied Albert) so that at least ONE Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha at the side of the British Queen--a role which escaped him in his own life.  Still, he did okay, becoming King of the Belgians.  So, don't cry for him.

Unusual Artifacts: A Miniature Vinaigrette, 1800

Miniature Vinaigrette
1800
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Here we have a miniature vinaigrette which is designed to resemble a coffee table (in gold) with a coffee service of six coffee cups with saucers and spoons, a sugar bowl with spooon and a coffee pot (in parcel gilt) attached to the top. The wee table featues cabriole legs and a hinged top.

If you’re not familiar with the term, “vinaigrettes” were boxes designed to hold scented sponges. These were used by both men and women to prevent inevitable fainting fits and counteract the myroad unpleasant smells inherent to life in the city.

When the Victoria & Albert Musem acquired this miniature vinaigrette it contained a card from the donor which offered the following story:

This vinaigrette was the property of Princess Charlotte (daughter of George IV) who died in 1817. An ancestor of mine, name probably Wyatt, was librarian to the above King and saved the vinaigrette when the princess threw it into the fire in a fit of temper. I cannot verify this account but I think it probably correct.

According to the V&A, research indicates that there never was a royal librarian with the name of Wyatt. However, the architect James Wyatt and his son Matthew Cotes Wyatt were frequent visitors to the palaces during this period.

I imagine that Princess Charlotte—throughout her short, unhappy life—had many reasons to throw a variety of objects into the fire. So, I like to think that this story is true. 

Painting of the Day: Charlotte, Princess Royal and Prince William, later Duke of Clarence

Charlotte, Princess Royal and Prince William
Johann Zoffany, circa 1770
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Image Courtesy of Queen Elizabeth II

Painted for King George III and his Consort, Queen Charlotte, this painting is the work of Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) and depicts Charlotte, the Princess Royal and Prince William (later, the Duke of Clarence and later King William IV)—two of their children.

This portrait is one of a pair depicting the four eldest children of George III. The other depicts Prince George (later King George IV) and Prince Frederick. The paintings were clearly created to be viewed from a low point-of-view, looking up. They were once displayed above twin doorways in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in 1841. According to the Royal Collection, “prior to this however they seemed to have moved around, without an obvious home.” So, it’s hard to say for where they were originally intended. 

Zoffany has created a scene with his usual sense of humor wherein the children and their dog seem to have climbed into a theatrical architectural setting. Their mischievous expression belies the grandeur of the setting and the seriousness of the drapery and floral arrangement.

Masterpiece of the Week: Charlotte, Princess Royal and Prince William, later Duke of Clarence

Charlotte, Princess Royal and Prince William
Johann Zoffany, circa 1770
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Queen Elizabeth II

Painted for King George III and his Consort, Queen Charlotte, this painting is the work of Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) and depicts Charlotte, the Princess Royal and Prince William (later, the Duke of Clarence and later King William IV)—two of their children.

This portrait is one of a pair depicting the four eldest children of George III. The other depicts Prince George (later King George IV) and Prince Frederick. The paintings were clearly created to be viewed from a low point-of-view, looking up. They were once displayed above twin doorways in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in 1841. According to the Royal Collection, “prior to this however they seemed to have moved around, without an obvious home.” So, it’s hard to say for where they were originally intended. 

Zoffany has created a scene with his usual sense of humor wherein the children and their dog seem to have climbed into a theatrical architectural setting. Their mischievous expression belies the grandeur of the setting and the seriousness of the drapery and floral arrangement.

Mastery of Design: A Miniature Vinaigrette, 1800

Miniature Vinaigrette
1800
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Here we have a miniature vinaigrette which is designed to resemble a coffee table (in gold) with a coffee service of six coffee cups with saucers and spoons, a sugar bowl with spooon and a coffee pot (in parcel gilt) attached to the top. The wee table featues cabriole legs and a hinged top.

If you’re not familiar with the term, “vinaigrettes” were boxes designed to hold scented sponges. These were used by both men and women to prevent inevitable fainting fits and counteract the myroad unpleasant smells inherent to life in the city.

When the Victoria & Albert Musem acquired this miniature vinaigrette it contained a card from the donor which offered the following story:

This vinaigrette was the property of Princess Charlotte (daughter of George IV) who died in 1817. An ancestor of mine, name probably Wyatt, was librarian to the above King and saved the vinaigrette when the princess threw it into the fire in a fit of temper. I cannot verify this account but I think it probably correct.

According to the V&A, research indicates that there never was a royal librarian with the name of Wyatt. However, the architect James Wyatt and his son Matthew Cotes Wyatt were frequent visitors to the palaces during this period.

I imagine that Princess Charlotte—throughout her short, unhappy life—had many reasons to throw a variety of objects into the fire. So, I like to think that this story is true.