ROYAL JEWELS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 10

ROYAL JEWELS

£30,000 Collection Of Replicas

FOR THE EXHIBITION

To Be Housed In Model Of

Tower Of London

Valued at i 30,000, a remarkable collection of exact replicas of the regalia, jewellery and plate of the Kings of England 'and the principal royal houses of Europe will be a feature of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. It will be housed in a special building modelled on that portion of the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept. The collection, which is unique and has taken a lifetime to assemble, is owned by Mr. Max Berman, London. It comprises some hundreds of pieces, each a perfect facsimile of the original and only distinguishable from it by an expert jeweller.

This collection, which has never before been seen in the Southern Hemisphere, has been shown at leading exhibitions throughout Europe and America, and was one of the most popular attractions at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in 1937. A Lifetime’s Hobby. The replicas were collected by Mr. Berman as a hobby, in the course of some 40 years. The cost of reproducing in paste and gilt the elaborate workmanship of the craftsmen of old has in many cases been nearly as high l as the original cost, apart, of course, from the priceless jewels in the actual articles. Moreover, the assembly of the collection has entailed years of research and study, and often special journeys to the Continent in search of rare and fascinating historic curios. The pavilion housing the collection will be erected in Playland, as at the request of the exhibition management negotiations for the loan of the exhibit were carried out by the concessionary company. During his recent visit to Wellington, Lord Strabolgb chairman of the company, informed the exhibition directors that satisfactory arrangements bad been made and that the collection would be shipped to New Zealand in time for the opening of the exhibition.

Outstanding features of the collection are a complete series of leplieas of the Royal Regalia of England from the time of King Alfred to the present day, the Crown Jewels, and various British and Imperial orders ami insignia; a series of beautifully modelled porcelain military figures of French marshals and regimental types: some remarkable German plate and beer-mugs; a number of equestrian statues and bronzes, and ancient armour: and Crown jewels and regalia of France, Germany. AustriaHungary/ Denmark and Russia. Many of the ancient pieces are no longer in existence, but accurate replicas have been made from the records which are still extant. Crowns, orbs, and sceptres of’practically every King and Queen of England are included, as well as the present-day regalia. Cullinan Diamond. An interesting exhibit is a paste imitation of the Cullinan Diamond, found at Pretoria in 1905, and weighing 1 Jib , or 3025 carats. It was purchased by the Union Government for King Edward VII. and was cut in Amsterdam into four large and several smaller brilliants. The largest section, nearly 2Jin. in diameter, is mounted\in the Royal Sceptre. The second largest piece, only slightly smaller, is set in the State Crown next to the Black Prince’s Ruby. These two pieces are removable, and are worn as pendants by the Queen on State occasions. Remarkable among the continental pieces are the German mugs and tankards typical of the best class of Renaissance workmanship, and of toe elaborate and ornate taste of the mediaeval princes. An interesting silver salver from Bavaria tells the ancient story of William Tell, the archer of apple-shoot-ing fame. Other caskets and beer-mugs of glass and gilt show the same elaborate artistry. From Denmark comes the Order ot the Elephant, instituted by King Christian in 1190, and composed ot a chain of alternate elephants and castles, from which hangs a jewelled elephant with howdali and mahout. From Russia come the Imperial Crowns of the Czars as well as a number of heavily-jewelled tiaras and necklaces.

Napoleon’s Army.

The French porcelain figures depict Napoleon ami his Marshals of Fiance, together with examples of the troops who -supported him in his conquest of Europe. They are beautifully executed and coloured, and are extremely interesting. Another curiosity is a copy of the cockade of triumph presented to Lord Nelson by the Sultan of Egypt after the Battle of the Nile. The original was of great, price, the five main stones alone being valued at £5OOO, and the j cockade contains some 300 smaller gems. The cockade, which had great historic associations, was never previously presented to any but a Mussulman.

The collection is regarded as a type of exhibit that has never before been seen in New Zealand, and is sure to rouse considerable interest.- The cases in which the pieces will be exhibited are to be made locally. The pavilion itself is under construction at Rongotai.