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Militaria and Political Auction
Lot 1298:
King George V of England
Other Ca. December 1911
New Delhi, India File Foreign
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert), 1865-1936, king of Great Britain and Ireland (1910-36), second son and successor of Edward VI. At the age of 12 he commenced a naval career, but this ended with the death (1892) of his elder brother, the duke of Clarence, which made him the eventual heir to the throne. In 1893 he married Victoria Mary, daughter of the duke of Teck. While his father was king (1901-10), George visited many parts of the British empire, developing an interest in imperial affairs that he maintained throughout his own reign. After his coronation (1911) he went to India for a coronation durbar in Delhi. Within the limitations of his constitutional position, he occasionally played a decisive personal part in political controversies, acting as moderator in the debates over the Parliament Act of 1911 (see Parliament) and the Irish Home Rule Bill of 1914 and later helping in the formation of the national government of 1931. In 1917, during World War I, he abandoned his German titles and changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. The celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of his accession (May 6, 1935) showed the affection in which he was held by the British people. On his death (Jan. 20, 1936) George was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII. His second son, on the abdication of Edward, took the throne as George VI.
George V Delhi Durbar Coronation Robe Fragment, with Outstanding Provenance George V Delhi Durbar Coronation Robe Fragment, with Outstanding Provenance
Fabric fragment accompanied by a photocopy of original provenance reading: "Piece of the material out of which
King George V of England’s robe was made that was worn by him at the Coronation Durbar in India 1912.
Presented by Mrs. C.C. Gruner. Brooklyn, NY." Isolated edge wear, else near fine. Bright and bold colors. The oblong swatch measures 2.875" × 1.625". From the collection of the Luray Museum of Luray, Virginia.
The velvet fragment features a multicolored tartan alluding to Highland heraldry. It was part of a larger garment that also included stylized lotus flowers, the official blossom of India, and paisleys, another Asian motif. Together, then, the fabric design symbolized the unification of two faraway parts of the British Empire: the United Kingdom and India
George V (1865-1936) and Mary of Teck were crowned King and Queen of England at Westminster Abbey in London in June 1911. Six months later, the monarchs traveled to northern India for their coronation as Emperor and Empress of India. The Delhi Durbar, or "Court of Delhi, " as it was called, took place between December 7-16, 1911, culminating in a resplendent ceremony on December 12th. On that day, George V and Mary of Teck sat in double thrones under a canopy, or shamiana, while Indian princes and Raj officials swore their allegiance to the new rulers.
Sir John William Fortescue described the royal wardrobe in his contemporary account Narrative of the Visit to India of their Majesties King George V. and Queen Mary (Macmillan & Co., London, 1912). "Both were arrayed in Royal attire, " Fortescue wrote, "the King in the raiment of white satin which he wore at the Coronation in Westminster Abbey, with robes of purple velvet bound with gold, and wearing further his Imperial crown, which was one greet sheet of diamonds, the collar of the Garter, and the star of the Order of the Star of India in diamonds" (p. 149). George V’s Imperial Crown, encrusted with over 6,000 diamonds and 17 rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, weighed a little over 2 lb., and purportedly gave the King a headache over the 3 12 hour-long-ceremony.
It’s unknown whether this fragment came from the official coronation robe, or another garment worn by George V during the Delhi Durbar. George V would have required other ceremonial dress, for instance, when he greeted the public from the Red Fort balcony the following day, and reviewed 50,000 troops on parade on December 14th.
PROVENANCE
Accompanied by photocopies of the following important documents: the original provenance; front and back views of the larger fragment from which this smaller one came; front and back views of a Luray, Virginia postcard; and a collage of pictures showing the Luray Museum and its founders.
Ex-Estate of Gene H. Baber, Fishersville, Virginia; Collection of Mary "Mollie" Zeiler Zerkle and Lemuel Zerkle, Luray Museum, Luray, Virginia.
Gene H. Baber of Fisherville, Virginia was an avid antique collector. His collection included everything from Civil War letters to epaulettes, from early frakturs to vintage wind-up toys.
The Luray Museum of Luray, Virginia was started by town resident Mary "Mollie" Zeiler Zerkle (1845-1933).
According to family history, nineteen-year-old "Mollie" nursed Union soldiers after the 1864 Battle of New Market. She married Lemuel Zerkle, and the two lived in New Market, Virginia until 1890. That year, the family relocated to Luray, fourteen miles east across the Massanutten Mountain range, where Lemuel had secured a post as Superintendent of Luray Caverns. Local historian Daniel Vaughn reported that the museum operated between
1938-1960, after which point the collection was sold at auction.
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