“Nonsense” Said Queen Mary

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 22, 21 October 1937, Page 5

“Nonsense” Said Queen Mary

Her Knowledge of Royal Family History Confounded Antique Experts

[“Dominion” Special Service: By Air-mail.l LONDON, October I. QUEEN MARY’S knowledge of Royal Family history confounded the exp'erts al the British Antique Dealers Fair Two bronze portrait busts had been labelled on expert advice as “William, Duke of Clarence” and Princess Adelaide.” Queen Mary took one look and said, Nonsense, they’re George IV. and Princess Charlotte.

ANXIOUS officials crowded round to ask if she was quite sure.

“Certainly,” said Queen Mary, “He’s wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece. William never had that, but George did. Then the uniforms are quite different. There’s no doubt at all, it’s George IV.” Queen Mary pointed out to the Princess Royal that the hair in the other bust was dressed in a lace fillet. “I think they came in during George TV’s time, they were after Princess Adelaide. Charlotte would certainly wear one.” As the Royal party moved on Queen Mary turned and said, “See that those labels are changed, please.” Queen Mary lent several, histone pieces from her private collection and Marlborough House for the fair, among them the beautiful George II cup, made in London in 1730, which was given to King George V and his Queen at their Jubilee by their sons and daughters. J

A particularly interesting piece of point d’Alencon lace is another exhibit. This lace must lie at least 200 years old. for it was once owned by Queen Charlotte, wife of George HI. Queen Victoria inherited it on her accession, and shortly before she died, gave it to Queen Mary. This year one of the biggest furniture dealers in town has been acquiring all the early nineteenth-century and Victorian furniture he can lay hands on. He is convinced that the demand for it has only just begun. So the present exhibition, in showing a great range of objects from jewellery to sideboards. is stressing the Importance of the two periods.

One of the most amusing objects on view is a little walnut kenne] built for a fashionable lap dog of 200 years ago. This miniature painted house only measures about IS inches by 15 inches, and was once the home of an important King Charles spaniel. It has 12 little glazed windows and a front, door.