King George V's Throne Canopy

The throne canopy of King George V. The throne canopy of King George V. Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014, acc. no. RCIN 589.

The throne canopy dates from 1916 and was first used by King George V of Great Britain (r: 1910-1936). It is made from red velvet and gilt wood and consists of the domed canopy itself surmounted by a crown, with a gilded wooden frieze. The draped upper part of the canopy is decorated with an applied, embroidered crown and further embellished with gold and silk tassels.

The backcloth of the canopy is decorated with a large, applied and embroidered royal coat of arms worked in silk and gold thread. The curtains on either side of the canopy are bordered with gold silk lozenges and tasseled fringing.

This throne canopy was designed by the famous British architect, Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (1869-1944). It was made from the heavily gold-embroidered velvet hangings previously used for the imperial canopy or shamiana made for King George V and Queen Mary’s presence at the Delhi Durbar in December 1911. The hangings were considerably reworked in 1967 by the London firm of Heal & Son.

The Delhi Durbar of December 1911

The Delhi Durbar of December 1911 

Royal Collection Trust online catalogue (retrieved 26 June 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 11:49
Published in Secular ceremonies and rituals
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