Casket thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Casket

1887 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Casket of embroidered silk velvet in coloured silks, gold thread and sequins. Large, octagonal and with a domed top surmounted by a solid cupola. The lid is deep, opening from half-way down the sides. There are eight ball feet in gilt wood. The casket is covered with deep green velvet embroidered in long and short, stem and satin stitches with French knots, laid and couched work. Some of the gold thread work is padded. The ground is sewn with sequins.

The side panels contain sprigs of carnations, roses, strawberries and exotic flowers. The cupola and the bottom border also contain floral sprays with birds, peacocks and butterflies.

The front panel is decorated with a crown, the monogram 'V.R.', a second crown and the arms of England set within the Garter Ribbon with its motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense'. All set within coiling sprays of leaves.

The interior is lined with quilted green silk. The edges are all trimmed with braid of yellow silk and silver thread.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered silk velvet in coloured silks, gold thread and sequins, gilt wood, lined with silk, braid
Brief description
Casket of embroidered silk velvet in coloured silks, made by the Decorative Needlework Society, England, 1887.
Physical description
Casket of embroidered silk velvet in coloured silks, gold thread and sequins. Large, octagonal and with a domed top surmounted by a solid cupola. The lid is deep, opening from half-way down the sides. There are eight ball feet in gilt wood. The casket is covered with deep green velvet embroidered in long and short, stem and satin stitches with French knots, laid and couched work. Some of the gold thread work is padded. The ground is sewn with sequins.

The side panels contain sprigs of carnations, roses, strawberries and exotic flowers. The cupola and the bottom border also contain floral sprays with birds, peacocks and butterflies.

The front panel is decorated with a crown, the monogram 'V.R.', a second crown and the arms of England set within the Garter Ribbon with its motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense'. All set within coiling sprays of leaves.

The interior is lined with quilted green silk. The edges are all trimmed with braid of yellow silk and silver thread.
Dimensions
  • Width: 430mm
  • Height: 430mm
  • Depth: 360mm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'V.R.' [in monogram] (Decorated on the front panel with crowns and arms of England)
  • 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense' (Motto inscribed on the Garter Ribbon)
  • 'Presented to Her / to / Her most Gracious Majesty / Queen Victoria / on the twenty first of June / 1887 / by the Ladies of the / Decorative Needlework Society / Patroness / H.R.H. / Princess Christian / of Schleswig Holstein.' (Inscribed on the back panel)
Credit line
Given by the Royal School of Needlework
Collection
Accession number
T.61-1968

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

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest