The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-11-28
THE QUEENS PLATE.
A Glance ut the Gold and silver Orna.
ments with which Her Table
is Adorned.

services of gold plate, made at different
periods for successive soveregns. One of
the most massive is that made Tor the coro-
nation of George III. (l7Gl.)
A most beautiful collection is entitled
"Her Maiesty'S Breakfast Service" and is in
daily use. A stand of nearly three feet high
supports a small kettle used in the sover-
eign's toilet. A christening font, made for
the baptism of ii. Il. ii. the crown princess
of Per a,and,used upon all succeeding coca,
sions Of royal cErislenings, stands alone and
is a beautiful specimen Of goldsmith's work
of the present century. 1t is of great dimen-
sions, and is enriched with 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 he admired, designed, We be-
lieve by the prince consort, has life-like
representations other maiesty's favorite dogs.
The only trophy from the turf is cup
won at Lincoln races by Fleur de Lys, a
horse belonging to George ". In the cen
tire Of the smaller room, devoted equally to
the care of gold plate, there is an enormous
piece of work in silver and gold, made dur
ing the present sovereigD's reign. 1t is en-
titled, Gan Eau do Cologne Mountain" and
stands some feet from the ground under a
large glass case. 1t represents in the centre
a portion of the ALEXANDRA, while around it
are oxquisilely modelled groups of figures,
horaes and dogs, and round the base lamin-
goes and other birds are reproduced in life
life perfection.
There are tanksrds and cups of every shape
and SIZE and few of these deserve very
special notice from their historical interest.
Among these tankard, 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 1868. An
other is completely covered with the coins of
the realm which were current from 1906 to
1880, and are curious relics, though inferior
in shape and beauty to others. In small
cases are laid out sets of various articles pre-
| sented at different times to members of the
royal families on their birthdays. A case of
pepper, mustard and salt boxes bears the in
scription: presented by Princess Elizabeth
to Prince Regent, 1873"
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 plSinness and simplicity of
shape. Flsgon, chalice. pGtens, and candle
sticks are Of the same date, and IRE 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
talkards by Flaxman, tho beauty of which
is recognized at once as the great artists
work.
A covered bowl with double handles is
pointed out as having belonged TO Napoleon
l. and was part OF the service found in his
carriage after the battle of Waterloo.
A massive toilet service used by her
majesty, was made for Queen Mary H.,
1858, and consists of large mirror exqui.
sltely chased, boxes of various sizes and
shapes, well fitted for monarrhs use.
Among other articles of Queen Mary lis
reign are another pair of iire-dog,, and innu-
merable 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 col.
lection are pair of tankards, indisputably
the work of Benvenuto Cellini, and marvel
Gus piece of the mssterhand in cup formed
by large nautilus shell, the golden lid sur
mounted by the figure of Jupiter and en-
riched with fine chased work around the
she'll, the stem and base.
Ga the same shelf stands another tankard
dated 1912, and called the Henry VIII.
t'nkard, Tor on its side the figure Of the
monarch is seen in bold relief A curious
high flagon of Spanish workmanship was
found on board the sdmral's ship wheu taken
in the Spanish Armada, and no doubt was
presented to Queen Elizabeth after the great
victory. Some curious tanktrds of beautifully
carved ivory set in gold are in the collection,
| bearing tho mark of 1886.
An ancient piece of foreign workmanship
has great historical interest AS it ia recorded
that this tanksrd was presented by tie queen
of Sweden to Charles NJ. on the birth Of
Charles NIL, from whom 1t was taken Ut
the battle of Pultowa by Peter the Great,
after passing through many hands, it at last
became the property Of Mr.. Vernon the
great collector of Vernon Gallery, who pre- &.
seuted it to King William ".
Some enormous shields hang near these
cups, representing scripture histories, an
cinut Greek tables or NEUROLOGICAL stories.
A high cup, of peculiar woi kmanship, is the
onepresented to Chsrles l, by the principals
Va shO uhiNNAS'tl VI NAtuIu WubD lllb klUH
held his parliament there IN l644, and it
would appear that this cup was very closely
copied at q later period, for one very similar
to 1t oates from Charles IFS reign.
A large rose-water dish belonged TO Eliza
beth, queen of Bohemia, and was present
from her father, james l. These dishes are
still in use at great court feasts, when the
dish, full of rose water, is handed around TO
the guest to dip their fingers in.
A cup commemorative of the victories OF
the Prnssian army, lSlS-lSl4, presented by
Frederick William III. to the prince regent,
has the iron cross of valor inserted in the I'D
The amounting spoons which were used in
the coronation of George " lie in the case
and are enriched with diamonds and Other
precious stones in the handles.
| women in Now Hnrkr