Not currently on display at the V&A

Reign of George III

Handkerchief
1812 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Handkerchief of plate-printed silk. At the centre is a bust-length portrait of George III within a circle resting on a trophy of banner, anchor and cannon intertwined with the thistle, rose, shamrock and oak. Above is a crown and sceptre. The inscription beneath reads 'THE REIGN OF GEORGE III. From his Accession to the Throne October 25th 1760 to the PRESENT PERIOD'. This is followed by an explanation of the chart of events which is printed in a spiral from the centre towards the outer edges of the handkerchief. The last entry in this spiral shell gives information as to the population of Great Britain and the amount of the Funded Debt., etc. and is dated 1st July 1812.

In the corners are busts of Pitt (then Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Fox (Secretary of State) with drapery upheld by a winged Fame, and bust-length portraits of Nelson (Duke of Bronti) and Wellington (then Viscount), with appropriate emblems. Between the corners is scrolling foliage with emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the crown and motto or the Royal Arms supported by the lion and unicorn.

There is a narrow outer border of chequerboard. In the corner by Wellington is embroidered in red silk the name 'THOMAS ABRAHAM'. The handkerchief is printed in blue on white silk.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleReign of George III
Materials and techniques
Plate-printed silk
Brief description
Handkerchief 'Reign of George III' of plate-printed silk, England, dated 1812
Physical description
Handkerchief of plate-printed silk. At the centre is a bust-length portrait of George III within a circle resting on a trophy of banner, anchor and cannon intertwined with the thistle, rose, shamrock and oak. Above is a crown and sceptre. The inscription beneath reads 'THE REIGN OF GEORGE III. From his Accession to the Throne October 25th 1760 to the PRESENT PERIOD'. This is followed by an explanation of the chart of events which is printed in a spiral from the centre towards the outer edges of the handkerchief. The last entry in this spiral shell gives information as to the population of Great Britain and the amount of the Funded Debt., etc. and is dated 1st July 1812.

In the corners are busts of Pitt (then Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Fox (Secretary of State) with drapery upheld by a winged Fame, and bust-length portraits of Nelson (Duke of Bronti) and Wellington (then Viscount), with appropriate emblems. Between the corners is scrolling foliage with emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the crown and motto or the Royal Arms supported by the lion and unicorn.

There is a narrow outer border of chequerboard. In the corner by Wellington is embroidered in red silk the name 'THOMAS ABRAHAM'. The handkerchief is printed in blue on white silk.
Dimensions
  • Length: 36in
  • Width: 32.75in
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'THE REIGN OF GEORGE III. From his Accession to the Throne October 25th 1760 to the PRESENT PERIOD' (Inscribed beneath the portrait of George III)
  • 'THOMAS ABRAHAM' (Embroidered in red silk in the corner by Wellington)
Credit line
Given by Mrs R. M. Heffer
Collection
Accession number
T.146-1968

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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