Queen Victoria thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 123

Queen Victoria

Plate
ca. 1887 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
A vast array of royal commemorative objects was made on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887. Inexpensive press-moulded glass, such as this example, was typically used to produce popular royal souvenirs.

Historical Associations
Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria shunned public life to a great extent. She never again lived in London and occupied Buckingham Palace only for occasional visits lasting a few days. However, the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne in 1887 was marked with great celebration, and the Queen was cheered by hundreds of thousands of her subjects as she travelled to a special service at Westminster Abbey. The public enthusiasm for the Jubilee resulted in the production of an enormous range of souvenirs, such as this plate. In subsequent years, the Queen was encouraged to make more frequent public appearances.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Queen Victoria (manufacturer's title)
  • Jubilee (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Press-moulded glass
Brief description
Plate, England (Gateshead-on-Tyne), made by Sowerby's Ellison Glass Works Ltd., 1887-1900
Physical description
Queen Victoria is in the centre of the plate, with the inscription '1887 YEAR OF JUBILEE' towards the outer rim.
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.6cm
  • Diameter: 25.4cm
not recorded Dimensions checked: Measured; 05/10/2000 by Terry
Styles
Gallery label
  • Commemorating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
  • British Galleries: This type of ornamental glass with moulded decoration was cheap and thus available to a large number of people. Press-moulded glass was a perfect medium for commemorative pieces. They could be produced quickly and in large quantities from a single mould.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Made by Sowerby & Co., Ellison Glass Works, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Subject depicted
Summary
Object Type
A vast array of royal commemorative objects was made on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887. Inexpensive press-moulded glass, such as this example, was typically used to produce popular royal souvenirs.

Historical Associations
Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria shunned public life to a great extent. She never again lived in London and occupied Buckingham Palace only for occasional visits lasting a few days. However, the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne in 1887 was marked with great celebration, and the Queen was cheered by hundreds of thousands of her subjects as she travelled to a special service at Westminster Abbey. The public enthusiasm for the Jubilee resulted in the production of an enormous range of souvenirs, such as this plate. In subsequent years, the Queen was encouraged to make more frequent public appearances.
Bibliographic reference
B. Morris, Victorian Table Glass and Ornaments, London 1978; pl.140
Other number
7853 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.716-1966

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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