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The Royal Crowns: Ring of Queen Victoria

The Queen's ring was worn by Queen Adelaide and Queen Alexandra. It is a ruby of just over half an inch at its greatest diameter, enclosed by fourteen brilliants and has thirteen small rubies set round the outside of the ring (Fig. 23). RING OF WILLIAM IV., EDWARD VII. AND GEORGE V.

WORN BY QUEEN ADELAIDE AND QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

RING OF QUEEN VICTORIA. ،، Although it is not now part of the royal treasure, there is one remarkable piece of plate existing which ought to be so: and a note concerning it may perhaps not be out of place here, as it may to some extent serve to show what magnificent works of art our sovereigns once possessed. It is a splendid enamelled gold cup of the fourteenth century which belonged to our kings from the time of Henry VI. until James I., who gave it away. But if it is not now among the regalia it is next thing to it, as it is the property of the nation, and forms one of the chief ornaments of the wonderful gold room" at the British Museum. It is certainly one of the finest specimens of mediæval enamel work existing. The cup originally was on a short stem, but under the Tudors it was heightened, and the added piece bears characteristic Tudor enamels in high relief. On the cup itself, the lid and the foot, are shown in lustrous translucent enamel events in the life of St. Agnes; round the edges of the foot and the lid were ornamental edgings of gold and pearls, much of which is now gone; and the actual top, which no doubt was very ornamental, is also gone.

The history of this cup has been carefully traced, and it formed part of the treasure of France as well as of England; its actual beginning is, however, still in mystery.