LONDON.- A decorative portion of a historic silk panel, commissioned to hang in Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, is to be offered at auction. The specially woven panel was hung as a glorious backdrop with a range of others, to set the scene for the special ceremony and can be seen in many historic photographs of the Coronation.
It was produced in December 1952 by Warner & Sons Ltd. in Braintree, Essex, England and was designed by Robert Godden, the rector of the Royal College of Art. It was the first heraldic emblem of the Sovereign to show both the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the Principality of Wales.
Woven in the ‘Queensway’ pattern in blue, with gold lurex thread, it features a gold woven crown above a rose, thistle, leek and shamrock emblem within an oak leaf wreath on a pale blue ground.
After the Coronation the silk hangings were gifted or sold to raise money for charity. The panel is framed and bears a handwritten label on the back that says; 'Portion of the Damask Frontal used in Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the coronation of Her M. Elizabeth II, 2nd June 1953'. It was purchased by the current owner’s grandfather and is estimated to fetch £400-£600 in
Dreweatts upcoming sale titled: Fine Furniture, Sculpture, Carpets, Ceramics and Works of Art on May 30th & 31st, 2022.
Silas Currie, Senior Valuer at Dreweatts, commented: “We are honoured to offer such a rare historical souvenir, reminiscent of the very beginning of the Queen’s reign and how poignant, as we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee and her 70 years on the throne.”
Continuing on the Royal theme is a magnificent mahogany and brass-mounted commode, that was originally owned by Queen Mary and was later in the private collection of her Majesty the Queen, until she offered it for auction in October 1959. The commode dates from the late 18th / early 19th century and features a grey marble top. Its original label on the back, states ‘V.M. Princess of Wales’ and an ‘M’ surmounted by a crown, as well as a fragmentary label for ‘Duchess of Cornwall and York’. It carries an estimate of £1,500-£2,500.
