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This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.

Hardstone carvings

Philip II of Spain©

It was common in the courts of Germany to create a Wunderkammer or cabinet to house a collection of small treasures and exotic curiosities. Queen Caroline created such a space at Kensington Palace, where she compiled a remarkable collection of hardstone carvings. Some of these, shown here, reflected her interest in the history of the princely houses of Europe, the highlights being the two portraits of Elizabeth I which are carved to the highest quality.


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