An Officer of Queen Victoria's Honourable
Corps of Gentlemen at Arms,
by Frederick Harding, circa 1850.
This exceptionally large miniature, 8 3/4 inches high,
is painted with gold and silver leaf.
Her Majesty's Body Guard of Honourable Corps of Gentleman provide
protection for the Sovereign at ceremonial occasions, including the
State Opening of Parliament, and the arrivals of Foreign of Heads
of State. Created by King Henry VIII in 1509, their uniform, that
of a Dragoon officer of the 1840's, has changed little since Queen
Victoria's time.
Set
in the original sanded brass mat within a gilt wood frame, now
conservation mounted with museum glass.
8 7/8 inches high.
Frederick Harding (fl. 1814-1857) exhibited at the Royal Academy
and the Society of British Artists from 1825-1857.