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Nelson's Chelengk.
Posted by Beth on November 30, 2019, 5:14 pm
I found the following items about the re-creation of Nelson's Chelengk. Hope everyone enjoys them.
1. There is a podcast on Joanna Hardy's site. Please scroll down.
I hope that everyone will have the time to watch this video as it explains very clearly the sequence of events leading to the creation of the Chelengk, as presented by the Sultan, the changes made by Charlotte, daughter of the first Earl Nelson. The most important element (as far as I am concerned) was finding a drawing of the original ornament in the College of Heralds, which allowed for the modern re-creation of this extraordinary jewel.
Some more videos.
Re: Nelson's Chelengk.
Posted by Dave on December 1, 2019, 9:05 am, in reply to "Nelson's Chelengk."
Thanks Beth, very interesting. The craftsmen are still very good, maybe we will see some more recreations.
Regards,
Dave.
Previous Message
I found the following items about the re-creation of Nelson's Chelengk. Hope everyone enjoys them.
1. There is a podcast on Joanna Hardy's site. Please scroll down.
I hope that everyone will have the time to watch this video as it explains very clearly the sequence of events leading to the creation of the Chelengk, as presented by the Sultan, the changes made by Charlotte, daughter of the first Earl Nelson. The most important element (as far as I am concerned) was finding a drawing of the original ornament in the College of Heralds, which allowed for the modern re-creation of this extraordinary jewel.
It is clear that when the aigrette was offered for sale in 1928 it was thought to be the original. It was -- in a way. But the enamel wreath had been removed and the bow at the bottom altered from the original.
The jewel as sold in 1929.
As the news item notes the jewel was purchased by Lady Barclay and presented in memory of her husband.
Prior to the sale the jewel was displayed at Spinks Jewellers in 1928.
This news item is interesting as it says that the clockwork mechanism which allowed the central element to rotate had been removed.
Yet, when the then owner, Mrs George Eyre-Matcham, withdrew the jewel so that a relative could wear it to Court in May 1928, one news item gave the impression that the centre could still rotate.
This item (from May 1928) states categorically that the clockwork mechanism was still intact.
I don't know which report was true but, unless the clockwork mechanism was very small, it would have made the jewel difficult to wear as a bodice ornament.
I haven't had the opportunity to read Martyn Downer's book but from the media I have picked up that the jewel was auctioned by a member of the Nelson family in 1895, when it was purchased by another branch of the Nelson family and was worn and lent by Mrs George Eyre-Matcham who sold it in 1929.
1895 sale at Christie's.
Mrs G Eyre-Matcham frequently lent the jewel for exhibitions.
1899
In 1905 it was again lent for the Centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar
See the catalogue of exhibits at Archive.org. It is on page 26 if the link does not take people directly to the page.