Saturday 6 May 2023

the bracelets of sincerity and wisdom (10. 722)

From the above basse-taille enamel armills made in 1661 by royal goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner to replace an earlier pair lost during the Commonwealth for the Restoration coronation of Charles II—whose meaning and symbolism was already unclear four centuries ago, supposed to represent military leadership to the ceremonial unction of the Sovereign with a cruelty-free version of chrism—an anointing oil blessed in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Guardian presents a good primer on the treasures and regalia of crown and country, their meaning and the order of service for the crowning and investiture of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.