Saturday, March 13, 2010

Queen Victoria's treasures to go on show

This ornate ivory throne forms the focus for a new exhibition showcasing the love that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert shared for the arts.

 

Queen Victoria's costume for the Stuart Ball in 1851
Queen Victoria's costume for the Stuart Ball in 1851
She called the South India throne, which will go on display at The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace next Friday, her "magnificent chair".
Bearing a jewelled Garter Star comprised of diamonds, rubies and emeralds, it was given to her in 1851 by the Maharaja of Travancore in modern day Kerala.
Victoria & Albert: Art & Love brings together over 400 items from the Royal Collection which date from Queen Victoria's rule.
Also on display will be a portrait commissioned by the monarch as a surprise gift for Prince Albert's 24th birthday, showing Queen Victoria as a beautiful young woman.
Painted by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, her favourite artist, she referred to it as her "secret painting" and said it was "my darling Albert's favourite".
There is also a ball gown made of moire silk and trimmed with lace and faux pearls, that she wore to the Stuart Ball of 1851.
A spokesman for the Royal Collection said: "It is the most sumptuous and glamorous of the Queen’s surviving clothes."
The exhibition opens on Friday March 19 and runs until October 31.

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