Imperial State Crown

The best known of all the crowns, the present Imperial State Crown was originally designed and made for Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838 by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, the Crown Jewellers. At that time the Stuart Sapphire was in the front. The Second Star of Africa (Cullinan II) replaced the Stuart Sapphire (which was moved to the back) in 1909. This crown was used at the Coronation of King Edward VII and King George V. It was remade with practically the same stones for King George VI in 1937. For the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 the shapes of the arches were altered to reduce the height.

The Crown is of traditional design of crosses pattee and fleur-de-lis with four half arches of oak leaf design set with pearls and diamonds. It is fitted with a purple velvet Cap of Estate turned over with ermine and is mounted in gold and silver. It weighs 2 pounds 13 ounces and is set 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 5 rubies and 273 pearls. The most important of these stones are St Edward's Sapphire, set in the cross pattee above the monde, Queen Elizabeth's pearls suspended below the monde, the Black Prince's Ruby (a spinel) in the cross pattee above the band, the Second Star of Africa in the front of the band and the Stuart Sapphire in the band at the back. Apart from a Coronation, when it is worn on the return from Westminster Abbey,  The Imperial State Crown is worn by the reigning monarch for the speech at the annual State Opening of Parliament.

This is a Pewter 1/12th scale miniature, silver plated, exquisitely hand set with Bohemian Crystals.