Sunday, February 27, 2011

Masterpiece of the Week: Marie, Queen of Hanover, 1861

Marie, Queen of Hanover
German School, 1861
Portrait: Watercolor on Ivory
Frame: Gold, Enamel, Diamonds
The Royal Collection
I just think this is very pretty. This watercolor on ivory miniature painting of Marie, Queen of Hanover is set into a gorgeous blue enamel frame with diamond flower-head spandrels.


The painting by an unknown German artist was presented to Marie by Queen Victoria as a souvenir. The piece was then given to Princess Mary Adelaide who was also the Duchess of Teck. As often happened, the little portrait ended up in the hands of—you guessed it—Queen Mary (of Teck) who managed to get hold of everything.



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