aigrette
- Museum number
- 1978,1002.286
- Description
-
Hair aigrette in the form of a ribbon-tied flower-spray with peacock's feather. Silver with a closed-back and set with amethysts and colourless zircons. The amethysts in the feather are set in gold.
- Production date
- 1726-1775
- Dimensions
-
Height: 6.80 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Text from catalogue of the Hull Grundy Gift (Gere et al 1984) no. 3:
A design for a similar aigrette is included in an eighteenth-century album of Italian drawings now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Prints and Drawings, 93.A.17. See fig. 2). (Charlotte Gere).
Supplement to catalogue entry:
For a close parallel to this type of small stiff aigrette in a portrait see: 'Queen Charlotte in her bedroom at Buckingham House', by Johann Zoffany, c. 1765 (Royal Collection). The aigrette, also visible reflected in the toilet mirror, is worn by the Queen in her high hairstyle. (Charlotte Gere).
For an illustration of the Zoffany portrait together with the aigrette see: J. Rudoe, ‘Queen Charlotte’s Jewellery’, in Jonathan Marsden (ed.), The Wisdom of George III, Royal Collection, 2005, figs. 68 and 69. Caption 68: Johann Zoffany, Queen Charlotte with her two eldest sons (detail), c.1765. RCIN 400146. The Queen’s ‘sprig and ribbon’ aigrette is reflected in the mirror.’ Caption 69: Aigrette or hair ornament in the form of a ribbon-tied spray similar to the ‘sprig and ribbon’ jewel worn by Queen Charlotte in Fig. 68.’
- Location
- On display (G46/dc22/p2/no4)
- Exhibition history
-
2023 5 Apr - 29 Oct, London, Kensington Palace, Crown to Couture
- Acquisition date
- 1978
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1978,1002.286
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: HG.286 (masterlist number)
