UNDER THE COVER OF ROYALTY

From coronation chairs to personal items used by members of the Royal family,these objects are rare, remarkable, and always in demand.

The allure of Royalty and the fascination with their lives dates back centuries, and it’s no surprise that personal items once owned and used by kings and queens are highly sought after These pieces not only provide aglimpse into the daily lives of these historical figures but also offer aconnection to the past, making them incredibly valuable to collectors.

At Halls Fine Art, the role of traceable provenance is criticalwhenitcomes to such objects. This ensures thatthe market hasconfidence in the authenticity of the items, and it adds to the fascinating story behind each piece.

Forexample,during the investiture ceremony for Charles as the Prince of Wales, aspecial chair was created for the invited guests. Designed by Anthony Armstrong-Jones and manufactured by Remploy in Wrexham, atotal of 4,600 chairs were made, and they were sold to the public for £12 each following the event. Halls has hadthe privilege of selling apair of these chairs,which fetched £700 at auction

Similarly,chairsand stoolsdesigned by Edward Barnsley were produced for the coronations of George VI and Elizabeth II. These pieces are made of high-quality materials and were upholstered in elegant fabrics, adding to their historical significance. Halls has sold examples from both coronations, which typically sell for around £200.

Halls also encounters more personal objects with royal connections, such as a handsome umbrella that once belonged to Sir Alfred Rice-Oxley who attended Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Beatrice. According to family history,Sir Alfred was given the umbrella by Mrs Tuck, Queen Victoria’s head dresser, to use on arainy morning walk in the palace grounds. This umbrella, made by Gloria of London, was sold to aprivate collector in the south of England for £280 at auction.

Alexander Clement, asenior valuer at Halls, said: “While the market for royal commemorative items hasdecreased in interest among collectors, the demand for rarer and more unusual objectsconnected with the monarch remains high. Royal collectables are not only valuable investments but also an opportunity to own aunique piece of history with a fascinating story.”