THE CORONATION CROWN

My new work that follows on the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and explores symbols deeply rooted in British history for example the Crown Jewels.

I use my imaginary X-ray machine to explore the beauty and complexity of St. Edwards crown, which is the crown used at the moment of the coronation, and which will be used in May 2023 for the coronation of Charles III.

St Edward's Crown is the crown used at the moment of coronation. It was made for Charles II in 1661, as a replacement for the medieval crown which had been melted down in 1649. The original was thought to date back to the eleventh-century royal saint, Edward the Confessor – the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. 

The crown was commissioned from the Royal Goldsmith, Robert Vyner, in 1661. Although it is not an exact replica of the medieval design, it follows the original in having four crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis, and two arches. It is made up of a solid gold frame set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines. The crown has a velvet cap with an ermine band