The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-16
THE BRITISH REGALIA.
Queen yictoria's Coronation Gown
The Jewels In Her Crown


The Jewels In Her Crown
London Telegraph.
At the Society of Arts last week Mr.. Cy-
ril Davenport gave a lecture. illustrated
by beautifully colored lantern slides. on
the British regalia. The ancient regalia
al the Tower were broken up on August
8, lc&9. under the commonwealth. Forum
ately however. two or three items escaped.
among them being tha golden ampulfa for
holding the consecrated cream. the ancient
coronation spoon. and the stone of the
Scottish kings. The two former are still,
preserved at the tower, and the latter IL In
Westminster Abbey. On the restoration.
Charles H., through a committee. directed
the remaking of the regalia so far as pos
sible, upon the old lines. Sir Robert yynes.
afterwards Lord Mayor of London, being
intrusted with the task. James III. caused
new crowns, circlets and scepters 10 be
made for himself and Queen Mary OF Mo-
dena. ard further alterations were made
by William and Mary.
The crown, known as ST. Edwards. II
the actual Official crown OF England. and
even II il be not actually worn II ia al
ways present at coronation. Describing
the more important objects. Mr.. Dayen-
port mentioned that the ampulIa or gold
en- eagle. is about nine inches In height,
weighs ten ounces OF solid gold and con-
tains six liquid ounces. The head screws
of the neck and the oil pours out of the
beak. The coronation spoon Is believed
to be twelfth century work, and h OF sii-
Yer gilt. the handle seven and a half inch-
es long, while the bowl Is divided down the
middle by a curious rib. Both these are
additionally the most sacred pieces OF the
regalia, as they were actually used In the
service OF amounting. At a coronation vest
menss bear an important part. and first.
after amounting Is assumed the colobium
OF soft white linen edged with rich lace,
followed by the dAlmatic OF cloth of gold
lined with rose-coiored silk
The imperial mantle made for Queen
Victoria followed closely those OF Charles
H. and James 81. and was OF cloth OF gold
Ened with rose silk and fastened BIS a gold
morse. ST Edwards crown was made By
Sir Robert Nynes in 1862 The rim Is edged
with large pearls, and on Il are clusters
OF colorea jewels surrounded by diamonds
and set on enameis. From this rises four
crosses pateee and four feurs de fys OF
eoiofed gems. From each OF the crosses
rises an arch or gold edged with large
pearls ornamented with jeweled clusters
on enaneis and dipping deeply toward the
center. from which rises sphere OF gold
surmounted by cross set with diamonds.
eoiored Jewe.s and large spherical pearl
en- the top
The imperial crowr, made Just sixty
texeis of the nation. but several rev ones
were added. IL weighs something over
thirty-nine ounces. the rim being open.
and IN front has the large sapphire be-
ousathed to George Ill by Cardinal York.
Sapphires and emeralds alternately all the
remainder Of the rim. Above this are eight
large sapphires. whence are suspended les.
toons Of diamonds. In the center OF the
cross patee in front Is the great spines
ruby which belonged 70 the Black Prince
In 1855. and was worn by Henry " NJ
Agincourt IN 14.s. It IL surmounted by a
sphere Of open work SET thiekiy with small
diamonds, and in the cross upon It In a
nlagn fieent sapphire. sad 20 have been
worn by Edward the ConfsSsor and TO
have been buried with him. In ALL beside
the great ruby and sapphire. this crown
contains four ruh:ee. eleven emeratds sig
seen sapphires. 81 pearls and 21ss dta-
fnonsss. Tha large ruby alone 10 valued
al half million dollars.
IL - interesting 10 know fha. specta
box Is provided for this erewn whenever
II has 10 take a journey. - inside being
hnrd with white velvet. IL has A Sliding
drawer ard q boss or which the crown fts
20 prevent IL slipping. With this crown
Is worm a crimson velvet cap turned up
with rn.niver which ia KEEP. with II. THIS
crown. from shss point Of view OF the sssa-
snosd cutter. may be- regarded as the Der.
fiction OF design.