The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1880-12-09
THE QUEENS PLATE.
A Glance Mt the Gold and Silver Orna-
ments with Which Her Table Is
Adorned

THE QUEENS PLATE.
A Glance at the Gold and silver lDrua
ments with Which Her Table L.
Adorned.
| The Qneen.
The yeoman of the Pantry with
obliging civiltry points out every piece
of workmanship, though indeed, tt
most of them a clearly written notice
supplies all the information we need
A cursory glance around the larger
OF the rooms shows several complete
; dinner services of gold plate made al
different periods for successive sover.
eigns. One of the most massive is that
made for the coronation of George Ill
(1761.)
A most beautiful collection is en-.
titled :'Her Maiesty's Breakfast Service
and is in daily use. A stand of nearly
three feethigh and supports a small
Kettle used in the sovereign's toilet. A
christening font, made for the baptism
of II. r. H. the crown princess of Per.
sia, and used upon all succeeding oc.
casions of royal christenings, stands
alone, and is beautiful specimen Of
goldsmith's work of the present cen.
tury. 1t is ofno great dimensions, and
is enriched with a border of water
lilies and their foliage in bold design
The centre-pieces which adorn the
royal tables at state parties, are OF
every possible design; the plateaux Of
every size, and most of them highly
finished productions of art. A centre.
piece, much to be admired, designed
we believe by the prince consort, has
life-like representations other maiestys
favorite dogs.
The only trophy from the turf is a
cup won at Lincoln races by Fleur de
Lyrs, a horse belonging to George ~.
In the centre of the smaller room, de-
voted equally to the care of gold plate,
silver and gold, made during the
present sovereign's reign. It's entitled
"An Eau de Colonge Mountain" and
stands some feet from the ground un-
der a large glass case. 1t represents in
the centre a portion of the Alhambra,
while around it are exquisitely model.
ed groupes of figures, horses and dogs,
and round the base fiamingoes and
other birds are reproduced in ife-like
perfection.
There are tankards and cups of every
shape and size, and few Of these de-
serve a very special notice from their
historical interest. Among these a
tanl1ard, presented to the Prince OF
Wales on his coming of age in 1888,
was made from Spanish dollars taken
at the surrender Of HAVANA in 1853.
Another is completely covered with
the coins Of the realm which we're cur
rent from 1905 to 1870, and are curious
relics, though inferior in shape and
beauty to others. In small cases are
laid out sets of various articles present
ed at different times to members of the
royal family on their birthdays. A
case of peper, mustard, and salt boxes
bears the inscriptions: "Presented by
Princess Elizabeth to Prince Regent,
1915"
Of old church plate there is but little
in the royal collection; what there is
bears the mark of Queen AIMS reign,
and is chiefly remarkable for its plain
ness and simplicity of shape. Flagon,
chalice, patens and candlesticks are Of
the same date, and are placed in the
private chapel of the castle when it is
in use during her majesty's stay.
Among the most beautiful designs are
some exquisite tankards by Flaxman,
the beauty of which is recognized at
once as the great artists work.
A covered bowl with double hands is
pointed out as having belonged to
Napoleon l., and was part of the SER
vice found in his carriage after the bat
tie of Waterloo.
We scarcely realize to what extent
the luxury of our earlier sovereigns ex-
tended, till noticing some beautiful
stands of at least two feet in height,
and asking their use, we are told that
they are fire-dogs, and bear the date of
Charles IT,, 1860; and in close proxim
ity is another article of great interest
a pair of bellows mounted in gold,
which belonged to Nell Gwynne. A
massive tf1ilet service used by her mai
esty, was made by for Queen Mary H.,
1858, and consists of large mirror. ex-
quisitely chased, boxes of various sizes
and shapes, well fitted for monarch 8
use. Among other articles of Queen
Mary lis reign are another pairo fire.
dogs, and innumerable candlesticks,
salt cellars, ETC.; but one of the most
noticeable is a small spice-box, used
by William and Mary.
Seeking the earliest dates, among the
collection are pair of tankards, indis-
putably the work of Benvenuto Cellini,
and marvellous piece of the same
masterhand in cup formed by large
nautilus shell, the golden lid surmount-
ed by figure of Jupiter and enriched
with fine chased work around the shell,
its stem and base.
On the same shelf stands another
tankard, dated 1912, and called the
Henry VIII. tankard for on its side the
figure of the monarch is seen in bold
relief. A curious high fagon of Span
ish workmanship was found on board
the admiral's ship when taken in the
Spanish Armada, and no doubt was
presented to Queen Elizabeth after the
great victory. Some curious tankards
of beautifully carved ivory set in gold
are in the collection, bearing the mark