Collector Culture

Yesterday evening Buckingham Palace announced the death of the longest reigning monarch in British history, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her private estate in Scotland, Balmoral.

As the British nations mourns the loss of their queen, an extraordinary woman who committed to a life of public service and devotion to the British people and the Commonwealth, we commemorate her contribution to the United Kingdom and the access she gave us to one of the world’s most fabulous art and jewellery collections.

During her reign which lasted seven decades, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II oversaw the opening of the Royal Collection. A gathering of over 1’000’000 collectible objects, spread across 15 royal residences and former residences in the United Kingdom. These include Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Osborne House and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton where works of art can be viewed by the public in the historic settings for which they were originally commissioned or acquired.

The Royal Collection has, to date, been managed by the Prince of Wales, but will indubitably be passed on, in light of his forthcoming coronation. It is important to note that the Royal Collection is held in trust by The Queen, as Sovereign, for her successors and the Nation and is not owned by her as a private individual. The purpose of the Royal Collection is to provide public access to a unique and valuable record of the personal tastes of kings and queens over the past 500 years. Sadly but understandably, due to protocol, the Queen has never conveyed a preference.

HM Queen Elizabeth II and Art; a family affair

From a young age, Queen Elizabeth II was exposed to art and inherited from her own Mother, Queen Elizabeth, a fondness for it. She was an important collector who over the years acquired pieces from the likes of Monet & Sisley, but she was not the only close family member to appreciate art. The late Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, The Duke of Edinburgh was also deeply committed to art and himself took to watercolours, like their son, the future King Charles III, who has dedicated much of his life to building heritage.

The Queen’s art collection counts 7600 paintings, 2000 miniatures and over 500,000 prints and drawings.

Her vast collection counts Old Masters collected by George III, Dutch Golden age paintings acquired by George IV, and pieces from Queen Victoria’s favourite artist Franz Winterhalter, amongst many others like Andy Warhol. Prints by Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo can be viewed in the Print Room at Windsor.

During her reign Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made significant additions to the collection which includes watercolours, modern art by Freud, Kapoor and Warhol among others. It is estimated that nearly 2500 works were added to the Royal Collection. It has also been confirmed that throughout the first five decades of her reign the Queen acquired 20 paintings, most of which were portraits bought from dealers, at auction, or commissioned.

Some of the artwork on display in the Print Room at Windsor.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ’s dazzling jewellery collection

As well as owning an important art collection, the Queen has an impressive jewellery collection. Her personal collection is estimated at $39 million and the crown jewels at $3.48 billion.

Her collection consists of over 300 pieces which she owned as monarch and others as a private individual. These also, include the Gems and Jewels collection kept at Windsor Castle and the Crown Jewels, worn only at coronations and the annual State Opening of Parliament.

During her reign Queen Elizabeth II was frequently seen endorsing pieces from her collection for formal occasions. Amongst the most notable pieces are:

• The Lovers’ Knot Brooch she wore to Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding, inherited from Queen Mary’s jewellery collection

• The Crown Ruby Necklace, designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, which the queen inherited after her mother’s death

• Queen Mary’s favourite, the Cullinan III and Cullinan IV aka as “Granny’s Chips”

• The State Diadem created for the coronation of King George IV in 1820

• Queen Mary’s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, a piece previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother Queen Mary.