WILLIAM ESSEX (1784-1869)
Bracelet with miniatures of Victoria, Princess Royal, Albert Edward , Prince of Wales, Princess Alice, Prince Alfred, Princess Helena and Princess Louise
c.1845-50Gold and blue champlevé enamel, pearls, enamel, hair | 18.0 x 3.0 x 0.8 cm (whole object) | RCIN 4797
Gold and blue champlevé enamel bracelet, each square link centred by a circular miniature surrounded by four pearls; head and shoulders of eldest six children. Each miniature signed and dated on the back. Each compartment engraved on reverse with sitter's name: inset with locks of hair. Bracelet engraved on reverse, 'From Albert / May 24. 1845.'
Queen Victoria's liking for miniature portraits was served particularly well by this bracelet which was commissioned by Prince Albert. Presented on her twenty-sixth birthday in 1845, with the miniature of her eldest child, Victoria, the bracelet was subsequently added to with portraits of five further royal children as they reached the age of four. She wrote in her journal that among her presents was, '...a bracelet in enamel with pearls at the corners, to hold miniatures of the Children. Albert intends kindly to give me a miniature of the Children, as they attain the age of 4 years.' (QVJ 24 May 1845)
Queen Victoria's liking for miniature portraits was served particularly well by this bracelet which was commissioned by Prince Albert. Presented on her twenty-sixth birthday in 1845, with the miniature of her eldest child, Victoria, the bracelet was subsequently added to with portraits of five further royal children as they reached the age of four. She wrote in her journal that among her presents was, '...a bracelet in enamel with pearls at the corners, to hold miniatures of the Children. Albert intends kindly to give me a miniature of the Children, as they attain the age of 4 years.' (QVJ 24 May 1845)