ROYAL EXHIBITIONS
Treasures of the World Series
Educational Events - Entertaining and Exciting Exhibitions
The British Crown Jewels Exhibition
The British Crown Jewels Exhibition presented by RoyalExhibitions.org is recognized as the largest and most authentic recrecreation of Royal regalia. This collection is an hommage to the artists that have completed the collection.
Requiring over three years to construct and assemble: artists, goldsmiths, jewelers and master craftsmen worked to ensure each piece was entirely handmade and finished using traditional techniques. Great pains were taken to preserve each intricate detail. Precious and semi-precious stones have been included wherever possible and all gold is 24 K. gold finish. However, there are no diamonds in the collection. All diamonds have been replaced with Austrian crystals.
By British Law, the originals of the Crown Jewels and Implements of State may not leave England and are displayed in the Tower of London. Part of the Royal Collection, the originals Crown Jewels are not only priceless, they have historical and symbolic value.
Their history has often been source of controversy. However, history helps us to better understand how events in the past made things the way they are today.
The coronation ceremony is much more than just a display of wealth. Objects worn or presented to the Sovereign represent symbols of power, but also of responsibilities.
Everybody should find something interesting or fascinating about the Crown Jewels beyond the controversies. Young people and not so young people: the swords; others: the history of the crown, history of their land of origins, and of course the history and the sheer size of some of the gems.
Originating from France, I am personally interested in the history of Europe, and especially about William the Conqueror that left Normandy (France) to invade England. One of our recreations displays one of the 70 scenes of the Bayeux tapestry that relates the invasion of England by William the Conqueror. The original is kept in Bayeux France.
The exhibition consists of over 40 pieces in display cases. The exhibition includes British Imperial Crowns, Implements of States, and other Coronation regalia and reproduction of paintings.
The coronation ceremony
First conducted for Edward III in 1042, the coronation ceremony has remained essentially the same for over the years. The ceremony takes place at the Westminister Abbey reflecting the religious nature of this ceremony when the monarch-to-be takes coronation oaths.
The first oath the Sovereign takes is to rule with justice and mercy according to the laws and to preserve the true religion. The four swords (Jeweled Great Sword of State, and the Swords of Temporal and Spiritual Justice and The Sword of Mercy) proceed the Sovereign upon entering the Abbey and are presented and accepted as a symbol of this first oath.
Holy oil is then poured from the Ampulla into the anointing spoon and the Sovereign is touched on the hands, breast, and the crown of the head. This is the most spiritual part of the ceremony and represents the confirmation of the peoples’ choice. The ceremony is followed by the investment with the Royal robes and ornaments such as the golden spurs, the Jeweled State sword, the Armills, the Orb, the rings, the sceptres.
The supreme moment comes when the Archbishop places the St. Edward’s Crown on the Sovereign’s head. At this time the people makes their acclamation: “God save the King (or Queen)” and the great guns boom out at the Tower of London.
Following the annointment and the crowning, the Sovereign receives the Archbishop’s blessing. The enthronement follows. The Sovereign goes to the raised throne in the center of the area.
The service of Holy Communion is resumed, the Sovereign laying aside St. Edward’s crown. After the final benediction, the Sovereign again wearing the Crown, descend from the throne. The four swords are carried before him as he retires. It is at this time that the St Edward’s crown is replaced with the Imperial State Crown. The Sovereign leaves the Abbey carrying the sceptre with the cross and the Orb.
The Tower of London was more than just a base from which soldiers could operate, it also became a home where the Royal family could live in style.
Over the next 1200 years, successive English monarchs transformed the fortress into a royal residence, a state prison, a mint and finally an armory and a repository for the Crown Jewels.
In addition to the Crowns, diadem and regalias, we have also recreated famous paintings located in the Tower or associated with the history of the Tower.
One of our most famous painting is in fact a miniature. Four scenes are depicted in this painting.
You can see Charles Duke of Orleans in the Tower writing a note requesting that a ransom be brought to the Tower for his release, the second scene, you can see Charles awaiting the commissaire, the third scene, you can see him welcoming the commissaire and the four scene, you can see him leaving the Tower.
The Tower of London
More than just an educational event, a community event
More than just an educational event, a community event
The start of the making of a Crown by Royal Exhibitions.org
Restauration of one of our paintings.
Even the Guiness Book of Records was at one of our Exhibitions thanks to the creativity of our host.
The British Crown Jewels Exhibition
The Bayeux Tapestry
This reproduction and enlargement is in fact a real tapestry, in contrast to the original. The original is an embroidery on linen.
In the past, tapestry referred to needle point as well as the woven tapestry that we know today.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a panorama, representing the invasion and conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
The original is preserved in the musee de la reine Mathilde in Bayeux, France. The original was made for Odo, bishop of Bayeux and half brother of William to hang in the cathedral at Bayeux. The tapestry contains 72 scenes with identifying Latin inscriptions. The border is of foliage, animals and hunting scenes. This tapestry is often referred to as the first comic strip ever made.
In this scene, we can see Arnold relating his trip to Normandy to King Edward.
Dramatic Depiction of the Child Princes Awaiting their Doom in the Tower (c. 1483)
This oil painting is 6 ft x 9 ft. We have reproduced in a large scale a famous XVIII century painting by John Millais, depicting the child princes awaiting their doom in the Tower. The princes, twelve year old Edward and his younger brother, the sons of Edward IV, had been lodged in the Tower, following their father's death in 1483, under the protection of their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Preparations began for Edward's coronation, but in the end it was their uncle who was crowned in his place as Richard III. Much has been written about their fate, largely in order to prove or disprove Richard's complicity in their deaths, but no conclusive evidence has been produced on either side.
The Tower of London represents the creative efforts of one of the most powerful people in medieval history, a turbulent time when most of Europe was divided into small warring kingdoms. William the Conqueror built the Tower of London shortly after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
William the Conqueror, from the House of Normandy erected the White Tower. Originally, it was a powerful strenghold used to control and defend the region that he had claimed.
Over the next 1200 years, successive English monarchs transformed the fortress into a royal residence, a state prison, a mint and finally an armory and a repository for the Crown Jewels. The Tower has been a place where the sovereigns lived, but also was a place where many people have been kept prisoners, and even murdered.
This is our recreation of the Imperial State Crown. THe original crown is the best known of all the State Regalia. Worn by the Sovereign upon leaving Westminster Abbey, it is only worn on great occasions and at the State Opening of the Parliament.
The Crown in its present form was designed for Queen Victoria in 1837 and was slighlly modified for the Coronations of King George in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth in 1953.It carries more than 2,800 stones but is particularly renowed for its major precious stones.
In the Maltese Cross at the top is a saphire said to have been taken from the tomb of Kinf Edward the Confessor. The next notable stone is the Black Prince Ruby. It is not a true ruby, but a spinel.
Underneath the large spinel is the second largest diamond in the world, the Second Star of Africa, which weighs some 327 carats. This diamond and the First Star of Africa, which is in the head of the Sceptre, can be clipped together for a brooch.
At the back of the crown is the Stuart sapphire (104 carats). It used to be set in the front until the acquisition of the Second Star of Africa.
The Imperial State Crown (c.1837)
The St Edward Crown
This is another of our recreation. the St Edward Crown is most important of all Crown Jewels. The St Edward's Crown represents the accession of the monarch at the ceremony of the coronation.
It is of solid gold, contains some 440 precious and semi-precious stones and weighs 2.25 kg. The crown was made for King Charles II by Sir Robert Vyner and may contain remnants of earlier crowns.
Until 1911, the stones were not left in the crown after the coronation as they had only been rented from the court jeweler. At the time of King George V, they were purchased and have remained in their setting.
The ermine trimmed velvet cap that is now an integral part of any crown was originally a separate headpece called the cap of Estate and was worn on occasion in lieu of the actual crown. It was in the time of King Henri VII, father of Bluff King Hall (Henry VIII) who took to wearing both the cap and the crown together.
Queen Mary's Crown
The original Crown was designed for Queen Mary to wear at her coronation in 1911.
The crown originally contained the lesser Star of Africa, the pear shaped stone in the upper cross weighing 95 carats while the square cut stone in the band weighs 63.5 carats. Our is an Austrian crystal as most stones in our collection.
In the center of the Malthese Cross at the front, is a large oval crystal interchangeable with the Koh-i-noor diamond now set in Queen Elizabeth's. the Queen Mother Crown.
The third and forth largest stones of the Cullinan Diamond are also set in this Crown, but they have now been replaced by crystal, and the diamonds have reverted to the personal possession of the Queen. It is in the traditional style, set in silver and gold back.
No King of England has ever worn the Kohh-i-moor diamond.
The Crown of Mary of Modena (c.1661)
The Crown of Mary of Modena (c.1661)
When originally made for Mary Beatrice of Modena, consort of James II, the original crown was very different. It was altered and set with the Black Prince Ruby when Quenn Mary II adopted it as the State crown. It was later re-fashioned for her sister, Queen Anne. The later wore the crown in what was very much its present form. It was also the State Crown for George I.The Black Prince Ruby is now set in the Imperial State Crown.
As George II apparently assumed as his State Crown, the old Crown of State of Charles II (with the Black Prince Ruby set in it), the Crown of Mary of Modena bacame once a Queen Consort's crown. It was in turn set used by his wife, Caroline of Anspach, Queen Charlotte, consort of George III and probably by Queen Adelaide, consort of William.
It has not been used since.
Made for Prince Frederick Louis, the son of King George II. This crown was used when he took his seat in the House of Lords where it was palced on a cushion in front of him.
It was used subsequently in the same fashion, lastly by King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales. It was never been used since.
It is interesting to note that a Prince's crown ony has one arch, where as ruling sovereign's crown has two arches. Only an emperor or empress may have four arches, such as Queen Mary's or the Imperial State Crown of India.
The Prince of Wales Crown (c.1728)
The Prince of Wales Crown (c.1901)
The Prince of Wales Crown (c.1901)
Single arched crowns of gold over a Cap of Estate, the first was made in 1728 for Prince Frederick Louis, son of King George II, and father of George III. This crown was used when he took his seat in the House of Lords where it was placed on a cushion in front of him. It was used subsequently in the same fashion, lastly by King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales. It has never been used since.
The second was made for George V in 1901 and was also used by Edward VIII, later Duke of Windsor. He took this crown when he abdicated in 1936 and it was only returned to the Jewel House after his death.
The small Crown of Queen Victoria
A beautiful little crown of sterling silver and gold set with diamonds it was made for Victoria in 1870 who found the other Royal Crowns including the Imperial State Crown too heavy and cumbersome for regular wear. She had this little gem mounted in silver and gold (4.5 inches in diameter and weighing 113g) made at her own expense using diamonds from some older necklaces and pendants. A bun hairstyle was required to wear the crown.
Queen Victoria appears to have preferred this crown to all others as it appears on stamps and coins as well as in many of her portraits, painted and photographic.
This crown remained among her possessions at Buckingham Palace and only transferred to the Jewel House on orders of her great grandson, George VI in 1937.
The Diadem of Mary of Madona (c.1685)
The Diadem of Mary of Madona (c.1685)
Maryof Modena's diadem is of beautiful but simple design.
Not being a crown, it has no arches, and it is in facta broad gold circle encrusted with diamonds, the top edge being bordered with a row of large pearls. the diadem is fitted with a cap of purple velvet, bound at the brim with miniver
It was worn by Mary of Modena on her way to the coronation, being replaced by the Crown during the ceremony.
The Diadem
The Diadem
The diadem was made for George IV for use at his coronation. He wore the diadem over a large velvet 'Spanish' hat at the ceremonies in Westminster Hall and during the walking procession to Westminster Abbey.
It is et with 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant in the centre of the front cross.
The frame is surmounted by four crosses-pattée, the front cross set with a pale yellow brilliant, and four sprays representing the national emblems of England, Ireland and Scotland; roses, shamrocks and thistles.
The Jewelled State Sword (c.1820)
The Jewelled State Sword (c.1820)
The most elaborate and brilliant of he various swords, is the jewelled State sword.
In the Coronation service, the sword is delivered to the Sovereign (a King will wear it briefly or a Queen will merely handle it). IT is then offered upon the altar and redeemed for a traditional sum of 100 shillings and carried before the Sovereign.
Swords of Justice and Mercy
Swords of Justice and Mercy
These three seemingly identical swords were made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. They were given new hilts for the coronation of King James II in 1685. The blades however are older, probably late 16th century.
Three swords are borne before the Sovereign at a coronation. They are the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and Curtana, the Sword of Mercy.
This last sword had its blade broken about 15 cm from the point. The name Curtana is derived from the name of the sword of Ogier the Dane, who attempted to kill the son of Charlemagne in revenge for the loss of his son. When he struck the youth, the point of his sword is said to have been broken by heaven's command to show mercy.
The Sceptre with the Dove
The Sceptre with the Dove
This slender gold sceptre was also made for the coronation of King Charles II. It is a rod of gold measuring over three feet in length.
At the top is an orb of gold with a fillet around the centre, studded with diamonds. From this rises a golden cross on which sits a white enameled dove with extended wings; its eyes, beak, and feet are made of gold.
This sceptre is held in the Sovereign's left hand and symbolizes equity and mercy.
The Sceptre with the Cross (c.1661)
The Sceptre with the Cross (c.1661)
Made for the coronation if King Charles II in 1661, the royal sceptre with the cross symbolizes the Sovereign's temporal power as the ruler of his or her people. It is held in the Sovereign's right hand. It is about 36 inches long made of gold and surmounted by a magnificent diamond‑encrusted cross with an emerald in the centre.
Below the cross is a superb amethyst and below that is what is believed to be the largest cut diamond in the world. This pear‑shaped brilliant is known as the Star of Africa, a huge piece weighing 530 carats. It is held in place by four gold clasps which can be opened and the diamond removed when required to be worn as a pendant.
All the Stars of Africa were cut from a single stone found in 1905 at the Premier Mine in South Africa. Uncut it weighed 3,106 carats. It was presented to Edward VII on his birthday in 1907 by the Transvaal Government. Since it was far too large to wear, it was split. This delicate tasks was accomplished by Mr. J. Asscher of Amsterdam. He spent nearly a year studying the stone before attempting to split it. On the morning when he delivered the vital blow, he was so unnerved that he fainted. Upon being revived and was shown that the stone had fractured exactly along the lines that he had determined, he promptly fainted again.
The Golden Ampulla and the Spoon
Probably the oldest items of Royal Regalia and certainly the most symbolic. The 17th century ampulla, a hollow gold eagle whose head unscrews and is of a much earlier date than the body (it has 14th century screw head), contains theholy oil used in the anointing of the monarch at their coronation.
During the coronation ceremony of Anointing, the holy oil is poured from the Ampulla into the Anointing Spoon and the Archbishop touches the Sovereing on the hands, breast, and crown of the head.
The Anointing Spoon, of silver gilt, it believed to date to the 12th century and there is some evidence that it was used at the coronation of King John in 1199. It is the oldest piece of the regalia. Again the bowl of the spoon and the handle appear to have been made at two different periods ( the handle is about 60 years older than the bowl). The handle is set with four fresh-water pearls.
The Golden Spurs
The Golden Spurs
The Spurs of St. George, emblems of knighthood and chivalry, were made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661 under the direction of Sir Robert Dyner, modeled after a pair of pre‑13th century spurs disposed of under the Commonwealth.
The straps are of crimson velvet embroidered in gold. At one time they were actually buckled on during the ceremony but now they are merely touched to the Sovereign's heels.
The spurs signify knighthood and chivalry.
In this picture, the Golden Spurs are displayed with the two sets of Armills.
The Queen Consort's Ring (c1831)
This ring was made for Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV in 1831. It is set with a fie ruby surrended by diamonds and has a bank of small rbbies aound the hoop.
The Sovereign's Ring (c.1831)
In the center of this ring is a large saphire. Lying over it, in the form of a cross, are five rubies, around the saphire is a circle of diamonds which represents the cross of St. George.
Queen Vicoria's Ring
Queen Victoria's ring was specially made for her because her tiny fingeres could not retain the larger coronation ting. It wa given to her by her mother, the Duchess of Kent, and engraved with the shank are the words "Queen Victoria's coronation Ring 1838".
The Coronation RIngs
The Sovereign's Orb
The Sovereign's Orb
The Sovereign's Orb was made for Charles II in 1661. It is richly gemmed and is placed only in the hand of the actual Sovereign during the coronation ceremony.
The org is six inches in diameter. Standing in the Orb is a large amethyst to which the cross is affixed. It is a hollow gold globe set with over 600 precious stones and pearls including emeralds, rubies and sapphires. It is surrounded by rose-cut diamonds.
The armills
There are two sets of armills in the jewel House. The enameled set was made for King Charles II, but was not used. Sir Robert Dyner, who made the Golden Spurs, also made the original pair of Gold bracelets from an ancient pattern. On them are enameled emblems of the three Kingdoms of France. They are lined with crimsonvelvet and have a Tudor Rose clasp.
The engraved gold pair was made in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II as a gift from the nations of Commonwealth. Their use in the coronation ceremony symbolizes sincerity and wisdom.
The Chalices and Paten
The Chalices and Paten
It is believed that Charles II would have taken communion from these at his coronation in 1661, and they would have been carried in the procession to Westminster Abbey with the other items of regalia.
Although not the original, this exhibition and other exhibitions from our Treasures of the World Series are a great way to learn and to share knowledge about history and craftsmanship.
Our hosts including local museums, city officials, local TV and radio stations often participate together to make the event even bigger as for example in Texas when the local museum displayed frescos borrowed from the vatican or in the State of New York when many radio stations got involved and raised hundred of thousand of dollars for a hospital in Kentucky, or in Illinois when the mayor of a city participated in the event and read shakespeare at the opening of the exhibitions and contributed to made the event memorable for his community.
The exhibition
All the objects recreated by Royal Exhibitions are on display inside museum quality display cases. Information panels accompany each of the items and tell the history of each of the pieces and their significance.
The display cases
Museum quality plexiglasses protect the recreations. Plexiglasses are secured to the base.
