Saturday Sparkle: A Portrait Miniature Brooch of Queen Victoria, 1886

Brooch
Henry Charles Heath, 1886
Miniature Portrait: Watercolor on Ivory
Setting: Gold, Enamel, Diamonds
The Royal Collection

By all accounts, Queen Victoria was quite generous and sentimental, especially with her children. She often presented her children with gifts which would serve to remind them about their family heritage and their history.


In 1886, Victoria commissioned Henry Charles Heath to create this portrait miniature of watercolor on ivory which reproduced one of her favorite later portraits. The miniature was set in a gold frame adorned with red and green enamel and diamonds set in a flower-head pattern.

Queen Victoria presented this brooch to Princess Victoria of Wales for her birthday that year. The item was cherished by the Princess and neatly preserved. It remains in pristine condition in the Royal Collection.