Handkerchief
1785-1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Magna Carta, the Great Charter of English liberties, was first issued by King John at Runnymede in June 1215. Since the 13th century, it has come to be regarded by the English people and all who have adopted English laws as their chief constitutional defence against arbitrary or unjust rule.
This commemorative handkerchief depicts the signing of the treaty. Taken from an engraved print of the late 18th century, it is one of the earliest visual depictions of the scene itself in popular culture.
This commemorative handkerchief depicts the signing of the treaty. Taken from an engraved print of the late 18th century, it is one of the earliest visual depictions of the scene itself in popular culture.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | plate-printed cotton |
| Brief description | plate printed cotton,1785-1800, English; The signing of the Magna Carta, engraved by Charles Warren |
| Physical description | White cotton handkerchief plate-printed in red reputedly contains the oldest surviving depiction of the site of Runnymede. It shows King John in the foreground, sitting at a table with a quill in his hand, signing Magna Carta. He is flanked by the Archbishop of Canterbury and several barons, together with soldiers bearing pikes and other weapons. The geographical accuracy of the image is open to question, but it pre-dates other depictions of Runnymede by several decades. The name WARREN is engraved in the lower right border, with the letter N reversed. Hemmed at top and bottom, selvedges at sides. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | MAGNA CHARTA or the great CHARTER of the PEOPLE of / ENGLANDS LIBERTYS Sign'd by IOHN KING of ENGLAND / on June the 5th 1215 [sic] in RUNNEMEDE between STAINES & / WINDSOR in the PRESENCE of the chief of the NOBILITY |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Magna Carta, the Great Charter of English liberties, was first issued by King John at Runnymede in June 1215. Since the 13th century, it has come to be regarded by the English people and all who have adopted English laws as their chief constitutional defence against arbitrary or unjust rule. This commemorative handkerchief depicts the signing of the treaty. Taken from an engraved print of the late 18th century, it is one of the earliest visual depictions of the scene itself in popular culture. |
| Bibliographic reference | Julian Harrison, Handkerchief Depicting the Signing of Magna Carta, catalogue entry, in: Magna Carta. Law, Liberty, Legacy, ed. Claire Breay - Julian Harrison, London, 2015, pp. 234-235 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 228-1879 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
