Crowning glories of day that saw start of a reign
IT WAS the Royal event which ushered in a new age.
Edward VII’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1902 marked the end of the Victorian era.
Now clothes worn by one of the guests will be auctioned in a sale of artefacts from a stately home.
Around 100 lots from Waldershare Park in Kent – the family seat of the Earl of Guilford – will be sold at a three- day sale hosted by North Yorkshire auctioneers Elstob & Elstob from today until Saturday.
Central to the collection are the coronation robes worn by Mary Violet, Countess of Guilford ( 1882- 1947) – wife of Frederick George North, the 8th Earl of Guilford ( 1876- 1949) – when she attended the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
Made by the renowned London tailors Ede, Son &
The ceremony was held on August 9, 1902 at Westminster Abbey in front of 8,000 guests.
Ravenscroft, the robes are accompanied by a silver- gilt coronet, signed camphor trunk and framed photograph of the Earl and Countess. The lot is expected to reach £ 2,000 to £ 3,000.
The couple married the year prior to the coronation ceremony, which was held on August 9, 1902 at Westminster Abbey in front of 8,000 guests. The event had been postponed from earlier in the summer due to the King taking ill. “The robes are truly stunning,” said Jessica Aldred, textiles specialist at Elstob & Elstob. Other lots that have been consigned for auction by the family include: a Nicole Freres brass inlaid music box; an oil painting by the Danish artist Paul Augustinus; and a George V silver tray.
The sale will be held at the auctioneers’ Ripon Business Park headquarters.