Grand Vestibule: The British Monarchy and the World
The Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle reflects interaction between the monarchy and the wider world
Dagger and scabbard
RCIN 62452
In 1900, this dagger was displayed at Windsor Castle in what was called the ‘museum’ – an exhibition of costume, weapons and other ‘curiosities’ from around the world. The cases were housed at the bottom of the Grand Staircase and what is now the China Museum. A short catalogue, published in 1900, indicates that the display included objects ranging from Zulu spears (assegai) to Persian saddlecloths and Burmese musical instruments. Some were gifts; others had been taken from the field of battle. In 1903, King Edward VII had the displays dismantled, and some of the contents were sent to museums in London.