ROYAL MEMORABILIA/ GEORGE VI CORONATION CHAIR: An original HM King George VI coronation chair, 1937
ROYAL MEMORABILIA/ GEORGE VI CORONATION CHAIR: An original HM King George VI coronation chair, 1937
ROYAL MEMORABILIA/ GEORGE VI CORONATION CHAIR: An original King George VI Coronation chair, 1937.
The chair has a limed oak frame with seat and back rest upholstered in aged green velvet, trimmed with gold braid.
The backrest is embroidered with GVI cypher in gold and red thread. The underside of the chair is stamped with makers name “W. Hands & Son Ltd” and additionally ‘CORONATION’ ‘1937’ and GVI cypher.
Dimensions: overall height 86cm, width 50cm
This particular example features in the House & Garden Magazine, May 2023 Issue.Condition report: Overall condition good in accordance with age and use– some minor looseness to joints, some unevenness to front leg, staining to fabric throughout and uneven colour, wear and knocks visible to frame and legs. The original braid and embroidery in good order – some blue marks to legs. Displays well. (see images).
The Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth was held on 12th May 1937.
The ceremony was to be a grand and traditional affair, in the mould of the coronation of his father George V. The coronation was held on the exact date planned for Edward VIII’s ceremony. George VI had been heavily involved with the plans for his brother’s coronation. Edward VIII had desired to have no coronation ceremony at all, and only agreed to have a paired down service. In the aftermath of the abdication crisis it was decided the event would go ahead on the existing date and would be on a larger scale. Queen Mary, took great interest in the design of the furniture for the ceremony and ensured it had a traditional feel in keeping with previous coronation ceremonies. The event was one of the first large outside broadcasts to be filmed as an outside broadcast for BBC Television (which was then in its infancy).
Furniture manufacturers based in High Wycombe, the centre of English chair making during this period, produced all the chairs and stools for the ceremony.
These chairs were used by distinguished guests during the coronation ceremony and were available for attendees to purchase after the event (to help fund the ceremony itself). Originally the fabric would have had a blue tone, but typically over time all have faded to a green.
Queen Mary herself sat on an identical chair during the ceremony which was sold at Christies as part of the Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in 2006 for over £38,000!!!!
For similar chairs see the Winston Churchill Collection held by the National Trust at Chartwell, Kent.
https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1101634
Our store includes a number of pieces of furniture with Royal provenance see ROYAL MEMORABILIA/ INVESTITURE CHAIR & CUSHION: An original chair and cushion used during the Prince of Wales Investiture ceremony, 1969
Dimensions: overall height 86cm, width 50cm
SOLD OUT
Make an enquiryShipping: Price includes free insured shipping to a UK address. If you are based outside of the UK please email us directly for a cost price shipping quote.
Condition Report: Overall condition good in accordance with age and use– some minor looseness to joints, some unevenness to front leg, staining to fabric throughout and uneven colour, wear and knocks visible to frame and legs. The original braid and embroidery in good order - some blue marks to legs. Displays well. (see images).