Tower labels Koh-i-noor a ‘conquest symbol’
THE Tower of London will, for the first time, display the controversial Koh-inoor diamond with greater historical context in a new Coronation exhibition.
Through a reworked presentation of the Crown Jewels, Historic Royal Palaces aims to explain the diamond’s complex history by referencing it as a “symbol of conquest” that has passed through the hands of many empires.
The diamond, which usually sits on display with the rest of the Crown Jewels, has incited debate after it was suggested for the crowning of the Queen at the King’s Coronation on May 6.
Growing upset threatened to come to a head after there were calls for the gem’s return, with India as the most diplomatically critical country with a claim to it. However, it was announced last month that the diamond would not be used in the ceremony, as Queen Camilla opted to wear Queen Mary’s crown instead, meaning it has remained on display at the Tower.
The exhibition, beginning on May 26, has been the result of a four-year project for Historic Royal Palaces to delve deeper into the history of the collection in the Tower’s Jewel House.
It is understood that the origins of the Koh-i-noor diamond have never been explored in this much detail in an exhibition and that the stone’s history before it passed to the British monarchy will be explained. It was said to have been “given” to Britain in 1849, and is currently set in the crown worn by the Queen Mother in her 1937 coronation. Before that, it was owned by Mughal emperors, shahs of Iran, emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh maharajas.
The historical context of the Koh-inoor and its many previous owners will be explained through a combination of objects and visual projections.
Meanwhile, the origins of the Cullinan diamond, the largest ever found, and the medieval coronation regalia will also be explored for the first time in the exhibition.
The hammer and knife used to make the first cuts to the then 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond – which have never been displayed before – will also feature. The diamond’s largest two stones are now set in the sovereign’s sceptre with cross and the imperial state crown.
The medieval regalia, which was largely destroyed under Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War in 1649, has since been added to by succeeding monarchs.
Only the coronation spoon survives as a relic from that era, with the collection most recently bolstered in 2020 with the addition of the 1969 investiture coronet worn by Charles as the Prince of Wales. The display will follow the evolution of the collection and include a Commonwealth coin from the era on loan from the British Museum.
It will begin with a celebration of the history of the monarchy by displaying the state crown frames worn by past monarchs George I, George IV and Queen Victoria, and will explain how so many of the jewels have passed from crown to crown.
The aim of the show is to explore the history of the jewels themselves in more depth in light of the King’s Coronation, during which many will be used. It marks the first major change to the Tower’s Jewel House display for more than a decade and it is intended to offer visitors a “richer understanding” of the collection following this latest historic event.
Charles Farris, public historian for the monarchy at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “From their fascinating origins to their use during the Coronation ceremony ... the new Jewel House transformation will present the rich history of this magnificent collection with more depth and detail than ever before.
“With 2023 bringing the first coronation in 70 years, there has never been a better time for people to come and learn about the jewels and to appreciate these awe-inspiring objects in person.”