Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-03
THE QUEENS PLATE.
\ Glance Mt the Gold and silver Orna-
ments with Which Her Table Il
Adorned
heQneen.

OullSlilS ClNlItIN points Out every piece
of workmanship, though indeed, to
most ofthem n 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 at
different periods for successive sover-
eigns. One Of the most massive is that
made for the coronation of George III.
(l761.)
A most beautiful collection is en-
titled Her Maiesty's Breakfast Service
and is in daily use. A stand of nearly
three feet high and supports small
kettle used in the sovereign's toilet. A
christening font, made for the baptism
of H. r. III. the crown princess of Per-
STA, and used upon all succeeding oc-
casions of royal christenings, stands
alone, and is beautiful specimen of
goldsmith's work of the present cen
fury. 1t is ofno great dimensions, 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 be admired, designed
we believe by the prince consort, has
life-like representations other maiestvs'
fayorite dogs.
The only trophy from the turf is
cup won ut Lincoln races by Fleur de
Lyrs, a horse belonging to George ~.
In hn of h. Il
voted equally to the care of gold plate.
there is an enormous piece of work in
silver and gold, made during the
present sovcregn's reign. tits entitled
An Eau de Colonge Mountain" and
stands some feet from the ground I'M
der large glass case. 1t represents in
the centre portion of the Alhambra,
while around it are exquisitely model
ed groupes of figures, horses and dogs,
and round the base tlamingoes and
other birds are reproduced in life-lille
perfection.
There are tankards and cups of every
shape and size, and u few of these de-
serve very special notice from their
historical interest. Among these Il
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,
Another is completely covered with
the coins of the realm which we're eur
rent from 1905 to 1890, and are curious
relics, though inferior in shape and
beauty TO others. In small cases are
laid out sets of various articles present
ed ut different times to members of the
royal family ON their birthdays. A
case of pepper, mustard, and salt boxes
bears the inscriptions: Presented by
Princess Elizabeth to Prince Regent.
1878"
OF old church plate there's but little
bears the mark Of Queen AIMS reign
and is chiefly remarkable for its plain
ness and simplicity of shape. Flagon,
chalice, patens and candlcsticks 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 ut
once rs the great artists work.
A covered bowl with double hands is
pointed out as having belonged to
Napoleon e, 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 thai
they are tire-dogs, and bear the date of
Charles H., 1860; and i'll close proxim
ity is another article of great interest
Il pair Of bellows mounted in gold
which belonged to Nell Gwynne. A
massive thilet service, used by her maj
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's
use. Among other articles of Queen
Mary H. reign are another pair of fire.
dogs, and innumerablc cnndlesticks,
salt cellars, etc; but one of the most
noticeable is n small spice-box, used
by William and Mary.
Seeking the earliest dates, ameng the
collectl0n are par OF tankardS, lnulS-
putably the work Of Benvenuto Cellini.
and marvellous piece of the same
masterhand in a cup formed by large
nautilus shell, the golden lid surmount-
ed by figure of Jupiter and enriched
witt fine chased work around the shell.
its stem and base,
On the same shelf stands another
tankard. dated 15l2, and called the
Henry VIII. tankard, for on its side the
figure of the monarch is seen in bold
relief A curious high flagon Of Span
ish workmanship was found on board
the adnirars 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 tie mark
1876.