A RELIC OF THE GEORGES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3262, 20 October 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

A RELIC OF THE GEORGES.

Studded with hundreds of diamonds, great and small, lies in a glass case in tbe Boston Vluseum of Fine Arts the wedding gift of George 111. to his bride. Queen Charlotte. Very recently, says the Boston Globe , this superb addition to the treasures of the museum has been procured through the death of a lady in whose life possession it was invested. This magnificent and historically interesting relic is a chatelaine watch, with belt, clasp, band and pendants, all of the finest gold and thickly encrusted with jewels. It was presented' by King George to his Queen at their marriage in 1701, and by her was worn, no doubt, at many a gay and social function or State ceremonial. The ornamentation of the watch and its attachments are in the highest degree elaborate. The clasp, which is generous in size, bears in its centre, within an oval of “ lapis lazuli/* the Queen consort's crown, resting upon a cushion, the whole wrought in diamonds. On the band below the clasp, on a similar background, are daintily inwrought, also in diamonds, the Eoyal sceptre, surmounted by its cross, and the rod of equity, tipped with the dove. The two rods are crossed and are united at the point of juncture by a' delicate ribbon of diamond®. Upon the watch itself, again, appears upon a background of blue, the monogram “ C.R/* surmounted by a crown, also wrought in precious stones. Upon either side of the watch are suspended irom the band two pendants —a key, a seal, with the Eoyal monogram finely cub in cornelian, and two perfume holders. These designs described, it must be understood, are merely the central ornaments in their respective places. They are surmounted by the most elaborate scroll work and other ornamentation all in diamonds, so thickly crowded together that the gold groundwork in which they are set can with difficulty be discerned. The whole forms one of the most beautiful as well as one ot the most interesting of the museum’s possessions. The relic has an interesting history. It was purchased by Mr Charles Amory afc a public sale of effects of the King in London in 1849. Mr Amory presented it to Miss Sarah Green, who gave it in turn to her namesake. Miss Sarah Timmins, a niece of the late Martin Brimmer. By Miss Timmins the watch was given to her sister, Mrs Chapman, with the understanding that at her death it should become the propeity of the Art Museum. The event recently occurred, and now the relic has reached its final resting place.