Hall marks on gold & silver plate

INTRODUCTION. xli
dove on a cross above the mound instead of a cross patee. The
dove with wings expanded is enamelled white.
The Queen's sceptre with the cross is also made of gold, it is
2 feet lo inches long, and is ornamented with diamonds.
The Queen's sceptre with the dove is somewhat smaller, but
more highly ornamented than the royal sceptre.
The Queen's ivory rod is 3 feet i| inches long, the mound has
a cross patee on which is an enamelled dove. This sceptre was
made for Mary of Modena.
The Queen's crown, which was designed and manufactured for
the coronation of Queen Alexandra, is composed entirely of diamonds,
all of which are mounted in silver settings, this being the
only metal completely displaying the beauty and brilliance of the
stones. The circlet is entirely encrusted with brilliants of the finest
water, which are placed as closely
strikingly
as possible throughout. This
rich band supports four large crosses patee, and four
large fleur de lys, which, placed alternately, enclose the purple silk
velvet cap. The centre of the largest cross patee displays the priceless
Koh-I-noor, the unique feature of the crown. From the crosses
and fleurs de lys spring eight graceful arches, curving inwards, also
set with diamonds. The arches converge in the centre, and support
an orb, encrusted with diamonds, which is surmounted by a cross
patee of large diamonds.
The total number of stones used is 3,688, and the crown only
v/eighs 22 oz. 15 dwt.
There are two orbs.
The larger orb is a golden globe 6 inches in diameter. It has
a fillet round the centre, from which springs an arch, both fillet and
arch being ornamented with pearls and precious stones. On the
top is a large amethyst surmounted by a cross, composed
of dia-
monds and other stones. It was made by Sir Robert Vyner.
The smaller orb is very similar, and was made for the coronation
of Queen Mary, the consort of King William.
The ampulla is a golden eagle, with expanded wings, the
height of which with the pedestal is 9 inches, and the diameter of
the pedestal 3^ inches. The body of the eagle is filled with oil, by
unscrewing the head, and the oil is poured out through the beak at
the coronation. This is undoubtedly an ancient piece of plate, and
probably older than the time of Charles II.
In addition, there are the following : the King's ring, having
a splendid sapphire in which is set the cross of St. George in rubies,
with which the Sovereign weds his people at the coronation; the
Queen's ring, a table ruby, the hoop of which is encrusted with
rubies; the bracelets; Queen Elizabeth's salt-cellar, and the coronation
spoon, of which more hereafter. These articles are illustrated
in Mr. Cyril Davenport's beautiful work.*
* " The English Regalia," by Cyril Davenport, 1897.