The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-10

The Coronation Oil, Spoon, Vestments
and Jewels Described.
George Edgar Montgomery.
London Telegraph.


London Telegraph.
At the Society Of Arts Mr.. Cyril Daven-
port gave lecture, Illustrated by 6eauti-
fully colored lantern slides, on the British
regalia. Sir George Birdwood presided ana
briefly introduced the lecturer, who began
by saying that few are aware that the an
cient regalia. at the Tower We're broken up
on Aug. 8, l649, under the Commonweaitn:
Fortunately, however, two or three items
escaped, among them being the golden am
pula 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
is in Westminster Abbey. On the restoret-
ton Charles II, through a committee, d.
rected the remaking of the regalia so Tar
as possible upon the old lines Sir Hopert
Vynes. afterward lord mayor of LONDON, be-
ing intrusted with the task, James
caused new crowns, circlets, and sceptres to
be made for himself and Queen Mary or
Modena and further alterations were mace
by William and Mary. The crown known
as ST. Edwards is the actual official crown
of England, and even if it be not actually
worn. 1t is always present at a coronation.
Describing the more important objects, Mr..
Davenport mentioned that the ampulla, or
golden eagle, is about nine inches In helght,
weighs ten ounces of solid gold. ana con-
tains six liquid ounces. The head screws Oil
the neck and the oil pours out of the Deak.
The coronation spoon is believed to- pc
twelfth century work. and is OF SILVER gllt'
the handle seven and a half inches long,
while the bowl is divided down the middle
of a curious rib. Both these gre tradition
ally the most sacred pieces of the regalla,
as they were actually used in the cere-
mony of amounting. At a coronation vest
mentS bear an important part and hrst,
after amounting. is assumed the coloDiunl'
of soft white linen edged with rich lace.
followed by the dalmatic of cloth of gold
lined with rose-colored silk. The imperial
mantle made for Queen Victoria followed
closely those of Charles III and James i'll
and was of cloth of gold lined with rose
silk and fastened by a gold morse. st. Ed
wards crown was made by Sir Robert
in Tha ri iS large
pearls and on it are clusters of cOlOred
Jewels surrounded by diamonds and set on
and four fleurs de lys of colored gems.
From each of the crosses rises an arch of
gold edged with large pearls ornamented
with jeweled clusters on enamels and dip
rises a sphere of gold Surmounted by a
cross set with diamonds. colored jewels, and
a large spherical pearl at the top. The inn
perial crown, made just sixty years ago,
contains some of the historic jewels OF the
nation, but several new ones were added.
1t weighs something over thirty mine
ounces, the rim being open, and in front
has the large sapphire bequeathed to George
III by Cardinal York. Sapphires and emer-
aids alternat ely fill the remainder of the
rim. Above this are eight large sapphires,
whence are suspended festoons of dia-
monds. In the center of the cross patee
in front is the great splnel ruby which be-
longed to the Black Prince III 1867. and was
worn by Henry V at Agincourt in 1415. 1T
is surmounted by a sphere of open work
the cross upon it is a magnificent sap
phire. said to have been worn by Edward
the ConfessOr, and to have been buried
with him. In all, besides the great ruby
and sapphire. this crown contains four
rubies. eleven emeralds, sixteen sapphires,
277 pearls and 2.7S3 diamonds. The large
ruby alone is valued at E100. 600.
1t is interesting to know that special
box is provided for this crown whenever
it has to take journey, the inside being
lined with white velvet 1T has a sliding
drawer and a boss. on which the crown
fits to prevent it slipping. With this crown
is worn a crimson velvet cap turned UP
with miniver. which is kept with it. This
crown, Mr.. Davenport said. from the point
of view of the diamond cutter may be re-
garded as the perfection OF design. In the
discussion which followed Sir George Bird
wood pointed out the relationship of the
spoon to Eastern forms, and clear ORR
entail influence in the other objects. with
the exception of the crown. which is dis
tinctly national. Mr. Stannus spoke upon
the art aspect of the subject.