2-969-796 - /Heritage Images

The Nightingale Jewel, 1856. Decoration presented by Queen Victoria to Florence Nightingale, '...that noble-minded lady who, quitting the enjoyment of social comfort, at the risk of health and life, devoted herself, by tender attention and unwearied care, to alleviate the sufferings of the brave defenders of our rights...as a mark of esteem and gratitude for her devotion towards the Queen's brave soldiers [during the Crimean War]...The design is said to be from the pencil of the Prince Consort, by whom it was intrusted to the hands of Mr. Garrard, the Crown jeweller...from the centre issue gold rays, implying Heavenly sympathy...[The inscription reads:] "Blessed are the merciful"...The label bearing the word "Crimea" is in azure blue, similar to that of the riband of the Crimean medal. The whole is surmounted by three brilliant diamond stars, the celestial signification of which is obvious'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.