Lot 1848
THE CRIMEAN HERO TABLE CLOTH
A fine linen damask banqueting cloth woven to commemorate victory in the Crimean War. Circa 1856-58, by D Dewar & Sons, Dunfermline & London, the edge with a band of medallions depicting Royal Heads of State, Military Commanders, Politicians and others connected with the Crimean War.
With Royal coats of arms and Turkish Tugrahs, various insignia and emblems, and also with reserves of martial honours commemorating Sevastopol, 8 September 1855, Balaklava, 25 October 1854, Inkerman 5 November 1854 and Tchernava, 16 August 1855.
The named medallions depict (clockwise from the head): HM Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Lord Raglan, Marshal St Arnaud, Florence Nightingale Marshal Bosquet, King Victor Emmanuel II, Gen Sir George Brown, Gen Alfonso La Marmora, Lord Cardigan, Admiral Bruat, Prince Napoleon, Emperor Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie, William Simpson, Marshal Pelissier, Gen Sir George de Lacy Evans, Gen Sir William Williams, Sultan Abdul Medjid, Gen Omer Pasha, Marshal Canrobert, Field Marshal Colin Campbell, Admiral Sir Algernon Lyons, The Duke of Cambridge. The corners with battle honours.
Hand stitched with the initial 'B' and Viscount's coronet and dated 1858. Manufactured by D Dewar & Sons, Dunfermline & London expressly for Messrs Hodge & Lowman, Regent Street London
approx 210in x 106in
The cloth, manufactured in 1857 was widely exhibited, including in the United States and "admired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Balmoral"
