3-011-641 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. 'Queen Elizabeth's Prayer-book, bound in gold and enamelled, the workmanship of George Heriot. This interesting specimen of an historical goldsmith's skill contains a collection of prayers and meditations composed expressly for the Queen's use by the Lady Elizabeth Tirwit, her governess; she was a Falconbridge, and her arms, a lion with two tails, are printed inside. The prayers were printed in 1574 by A. Barker, whose device is seen on several leaves, a man stripping the bark from a tree, and the couplet, "A Barker if you will. In name but not in skill". This book was worn by the Queen suspended by a chain from her girdle through the two rings which are at the top. The cover is of gold, ornamented with coloured enamel figures in full relief. In front is represented the Raising of the Serpent in the Wilderness, an emaciated figure in the foreground, another is praying...On the back is represented the Judgment of Solomon...The edges and back...are decorated with black enamels. George Heriot was the favourite goldsmith and banker of James I. of England, and the founder of that noble institution "George Heriot's Hospital," at Edinburgh. (From the Duke of Sussex's collection.) George Field, Esq.'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.