Bidspirit 拍卖 | Queen Victoria (1819–1901) – Large

Queen Victoria (1819–1901) – Large Official Golden Jubilee Portrait Wearing Her Small Diamond Crown, Diamond Jewellery and Royal Orders – Cabinet Card by Bassano, London – 1887 - A large royal Cabinet Card portrait of Queen Victoria (1819–1901), dating from 1887, the year of her Golden Jubilee, commemorating fifty years since her accession to the throne. The portrait was produced by Bassano, London, and presents Queen Victoria in an imposing formal composition, dressed in elaborate black costume richly trimmed with white lace and wearing a royal veil. The Queen wears her celebrated Small Diamond Crown, created for her in 1870 and subsequently one of the most recognisable elements of her later royal iconography. She is also shown wearing diamond necklace and earrings, bracelets and other jewellery, together with her royal sash and orders. Printed beneath the photograph is: “VICTORIA QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN EMPRESS OF INDIA” together with the photographer's credit “BASSANO PHOTO.” The portrait is associated with 1887, the year in which Victoria celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of her accession. Her Golden Jubilee was one of the major royal events of the nineteenth century and celebrated her position both as Queen of Great Britain and as Empress of India, a title she had held since 1876. The large format preserves particularly attractive detail in the Queen's features, crown, jewellery, lace, royal orders and richly textured costume. The reverse bears an old handwritten inscription referring to the year 1887, as photographed. An impressive large-format royal portrait from the Golden Jubilee period, combining Queen Victoria's iconic late-reign image, her Small Diamond Crown, royal jewellery and orders, the desirable Cabinet Card format and the Bassano photographic studio.