Tags

, ,

On 29 March 2012, a new display of the crown jewels will be revealed at the Tower of London to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. This year’s display will feature new lighting and film footage to showcase the Crown Jewels in their full glory.

Armsills - these are gold bracelets meant to symbolise sincerity and wisdom. There are two sets of armsills in the Jewel House. The enameled set was made for King Charless II but was not used.

Queen Mary's Crown

Queen Mary’s Crown. The exhibition will focus on the coronation ceremony and show the regalia in the order they are used during the coronation cermony. The crown, made by Gerrard & Co, used to contain the Koh-i-Noor diamond as well as the Cullinan III and the Cullinan IV. However, in 1914 these diamonds were replaced by crystal models. It contains approximately 2,200 diamonds and was specially constructed so that the arches could be removed, as seen here.

The crown, made by Gerrard & Co, used to contain the Koh-i-Noor diamond as well as the Cullinan III and the Cullinan IV.

Queen Victoria's small diamond crown. Many of the jewels were lost after the Civil War and remade for Charles II’s coronation in 1661. This crown was specially designed for Queen Victoria to wear whilst mourning the loss of Prince Albert. Its size allowed it to be worn on top of her veil, and it contains 1, 187 diamonds, which were acceptable to wear during mourning.

Imperial Crown of India. The Crown Jewels signify royal authority to lead, and protect, the nation. The crown, designed by Garrard & Co, was created for George V to wear at the Delhi Durbar of 1911, as it is forbidden for Crown Jewels to leave Britain. It is set with one large ruby, 6 100 diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, and weighs 0.97 kg.

Crown of Mary of Modena. The regalia includes some of the largest diamonds in the world, their mystique and beauty attracts around 2.5 million visitors to the Tower of London from around the world every year.The Crown of Mary of Modena was the consort crown of Mary of Modena, wife of King James VII and II. It was manufactured in 1685 by goldsmith Richard de Beauvoir, and was decorated with hired jewels, as wasthe norm. It was used for the coronation of all subsequent queens consorts until 1835 and is no longer in roayl ceremonial use.

Sceptre with the Dove. An introductory exhibition will feature evocative graphics, music and film footage will enable visitors to explore the importance of the crown jewels to the British Monarchy. The sceptre was originally made for King Charles II coronation in 1661, to symbollise the authority of the Monarch under the cross. The enamelled dove repesents the Holy Ghost, and the sceptre is meant to be held in the left hand, whilst the Sceptre with the Cross is held in the right hand.

Mary II's Orb. The exhibition will also feature film footage showing the Crown Jewels in use. The crown jewels are still regularly used by the Queen in important national ceremonies, such as the annual State Opening of Parliament.The Small Orb was made for Mary II in 1689 because of her joint coronation with Wlliam III. It is a hollow gold sphere surmounted by a jeweled cross, which represents the Soverign's role as Defender of the Faith.

Queen Victoria's Coronation Ring. The displays will examine how the regalia are used during the coronation ceremony, and explore the symbolism of each object. Queen Victoria's ring was given to her by her mother, and was made specially for her because the larger coronation ring could not fit on her small fingers. However, due to some confusion, it was sized for her small finger, but the Archbishop of Canterbury forced it onto her fourth.

The Ampulla and Anointing Spoon. Handel’s coronation anthems will be heard as visitors move through the exhibition.The Ampulla is a hollow gold vessel shaped like an eagle, and the Spoon is a silver-silt spoon set with pearls. The spoon is believed to be of the 13th century, and is thus the oldest element of the regalia.

Crown of Queen Alexandra. The Crown Jewels are a unique collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by The Queen in important national ceremonies. The crown of Queen Alexandra was a new consort crown, whose style was more akin to the European royal crowns, than the standard style of the British crowns. The arches were detachable, which like the Crown of Queen Elizabeth, meant the crown could be worn as a circlet.