Electrotype Reproductions,

Contributed by the Department of Science and Art, South Kensington Museum, London.

The objects forming part of the Regalia preserved in the Tower of London were lent, for the purpose of being reproduced, by the gracious permission of Her Majesty the Queen.

They consist for the most part of plate made at the time of the Restoration, in 1660, to replace, and in some instances to represent, earlier pieces. This seems to be the case with the Ampulla, or Anointing Cruse, the original of which is of pure gold. Its form is antique, evidently derived from an early epoch; but the actual work is of the seventeenth century. The Anointing Spoon, however, which accompanies it, made of silver richly gilt, dates from the early part of the thirteenth century. The sanctity of the anointing oil was, in early ages, deemed of great importance, and various legends were current respecting its discovery and efficacy. These superstitions afforded, no doubt, a special reason why in 1649 the Commissioners of the Parliament destroyed all that they could lay hands on, and were well content to be able to report these ancient and long-valued objects as "broken and defaced." The salt-cellar dates from the time of Queen Elizabeth, and has been called a model of the "White Tower" of London, to which, however, it has little resemblance except in being square and castellated. It was used on the King's table at the coronation of George IV.

The wine fountain, of silver gilt—a large and elaborate piece of English silversmiths' work—was presented to King Charles II. by the Corporation of Plymouth.

The other objects exhibited are from the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle, and were also reproduced by permission of Her Majesty the Queen.

Case No. 1.

Spoon. The bowl engraved with foliated scrolls, the shaft enriched with filigree work, and set with four pearls. The original, of silver gilt, called "The Anointing Spoon," and used in the ceremony of the coronation, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Date, about 1200-50.

'65.-75.

Flagon, with foliated scroll-work, cherubs' heads, in repoussé or beaten work; in front, a cartouche with cyphers of William III. and Queen Mary. The original, of silver gilt, is a sacramental flagon, and forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Seventeenth century.

'65.—78.

Salver, or Altar Dish. The centre embossed in high relief, with a composition representing the Supper at Emmaus, below which is a cartouche bearing the cypher of William III. and Queen Mary, the margin chased with scroll foliage and cherubs' heads. The original, of silver, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Date, about 1690.

'65—79.

Christening Font, with cover, embossed in relief with scroll foliage, natural flowers, and cherubs' heads. The cover is surmounted with a group of figures, in the round, representing Philip baptising the eunuch. Engraved with the crowned cypher of Charles II. The original, of silver gilt, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Date, about 1660.

'65.—80.

Salver of Christening Font, embossed in relief with scroll foliage, natural flowers, and cherubs' heads, and engraved with the Royal arms. The original, of silver gilt, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Date, about 1660.

'65—81.

Salt-cellar, on high pedestal, chased with foliage and allegorical figure subjects in circular medallions, the summit crowned by a small statuette of a warrior. The original, of silver gilt, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Date, about 1560.

'65.—82.

Wine Fountain. The bowl embossed with subjects of marine deities surrounded by cartouche work, the stand or stem decorated with foliage and figures of mermaids. The upper part of the fountain forms a quadrangular pedestal, against each face of which stands a statuette in full relief surmounting a shell. The figures represent Neptune, Hercules (?), with a dolphin, and two sea nymphs. On the summit of the pedestal is placed a statuette of Cleopatra with the asp. The original, of silver gilt, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Second half of seventeenth century.

'65.-83.

Tankard, with Cover, embossed with a group representing the loves of the gods. The original, of silver gilt, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. Flemish (?). Seventeenth century.

'66.—1.

Salt-cellar. The base embossed with acanthus leaves, with a dome-shaped cover embossed with flowers surmounted by a rudely-moulded figure of a cavalier. English. Seventeenth century. The original, of silver gilt, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London.

'66.-2.

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Ampulla, or Anointing Cruse, in form of an eagle with wings expanded. The head screws off, and the oil issues through three holes in the beak and nostrils. English. Seventeenth century. (Probably representing an earlier piece.) The original, of gold, forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London, and is used for the oil of consecration at coronations.

'66.-3.

Sceptre, surmounted by the figure of a dove. The original, of ivory mounted in gold and enamelled, is known as the sceptre of Anne Boleyn, but was probably made for Anne of Denmark, the Queen of James I., about 1603, and forms part of the regalia in the Tower of London. English. Seventeenth century.

'66.—4.

Salver. In the centre the Triumph of Ariadne in high relief, the border ornamented with trophies of musical instruments and masks on a trellis of vino leaves and grapes. The original, of silver gilt, was designed by Stothard, and executed by Rundell and Bridge for the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV. It is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, 1814.

'68.-93.

Vase, or Wine-cooler. Antique classical design, the body ornamented with figures in low relief, the border of grapes and vine leaves, with twisted vine-stock handles. The original, of silver gilt, was designed by Flaxman, and executed by Rundell and Bridge for the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV. It is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, 1812.

'68.-94.

Vase, or Cup. Antique classical form, with subjects in relief emblematic of the gold and silver ages. The original, of silver, one half gilt, was designed by Flaxman for the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV. It is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. About 1812.

'68—96.

Cup. The body carved with a representation of the birth of Venus; on the cover are representations of shells, &c. The original, of ivory with silver gilt mounting and gold cover, is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and fonns part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. The ivory carving Flemish (?), seventeenth century. The mounting English, date 1785.

'68.—96.

Elephant. On its back are figures of an Indian god and a driver in Oriental costume. The original, of silver gilt, is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, latter part of eighteenth century.

'68.-97.

Epergne, or Centre Piece. On a stand with castors, dishes for sweetmeats, &c., and brackets and sconces for candles. The original, of silver gilt, was made for Frederick Prince of Wales, the father of George III. It is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, about 1750.

'68.—101.

Case No. 2.

Table. Covered with foliage in repoussé work, and bearing the monogram of Charles II. The original, of silver, is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, about 1670.

'68.-99.

Table. The upper surface chased with the arms of William III. in the centre. The original, of silver, is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, about 1700.

'68.—100.

Fire Dog, on a Quadrangular base and surmounted by an urn; on one side is the monogram of Charles II., on the other has subsequently been engraved the arms of the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV. The original is the property of Her Majesty the Queen, and forms part of the Royal collection of plate at Windsor Castle. English. Date, about 1670. The base modern.

'68.—102.