Silver-gilt Coronation Coronet for King George IV 1821

Coronets worn at the coronations of British monarchs rarely come to the market and so we are pleased to be able to offer this silver-gilt coronet worn by an earl at the coronation of King George IV in 1821. This coronet was worn by John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland.

A coronet is a form of headgear worn by peers of the United Kingdom for just one occasion - the coronation of a monarch. It is also used figuratively as part of a coat of arms to represent rank. Each layer of rank has its own style of coronet with that belonging to an earl or countess having eight strawberry leaves and eight pearls (spherical balls on stalks) - in heraldry only five pearls are visible.

King George IV acceded to the British throne on January 29th, 1820 and his coronation finally took place on July 19th,1821 after the initial date of August 1st, 1820 was postponed due to parliamentary procedings relating to the king's estranged wife Caroline of Brunswick. Due to the extravagant tastes of King George IV, the coronation ceremony was the most lavish ever and participants had to dress in Tudor and Stuart period costumes. Peers were expected to provide their own clothing and a display of the required styles was staged at the College of Arms for the benefit of their lordship's tailors. 

This coronet is made from silver and gilt all over with just the pearls left as bright silver coloured. It is fully hallmarked for London 1820 and bears the makers mark of Garrard the Crown Jewellers. The coronet is mounted in ermine with silk inners and has a central silver-gilt thread tassle. 

In addition to the coronet, we also have the original tunic and breeches that were worn for the same occasion and in line with the royal command are in typical Elizabethan-style. Considering their great age, all the pieces have survived remarkably well. The silk to the inside of the coronet has a little tear and is slightly dirty around the headband with "X" to mark the front, whilst the cream silk of the tunic and breeches has some old minor snags here and there, but overall is clean and in fine condition.

John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland (1759-1841) was a British Tory politician who served in most cabinets during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, mostly as Lord Privy Seal which position he held through five Prime Ministers between 1798 and 1833 (except 1806/7). He eloped to Gretna Green in 1782 to marry Sarah Ann Child daughter of the wealthy banker Robert Child who subsequently cut her out of his will. They lived at Brympton House near Yeovil in Somerset. In addition to the prestigious post of Lord Privy Seal, he was Joint Postmaster General (1789), Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1789-1794), Master of the Horse (1795-98), Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire (1828-41) and was made a Knight of the Garter in 1793.

More can be found on Wikipedia at this link: John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland

Coronation regalia is generally only found in museums, so this is an exciting opportunity to own a piece of British history!

Provenance: Sold at Christie’s 30^th November 2006 - Sale 7284 – Lot 626. Sold for £12,000 + 23% buyer's premium. www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4818758  N.B. the wooden box mentioned in the Christies lot description is no longer present.