3-016-818 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Wedding presents from the Queen to the Princess of Wales: silver tazza for centrepiece, 1864. An 'admirable piece of workmanship [consisting of] a silver centrepiece, of tazza form, richly chased and partially gilt. On the base...is a group of figures representing Edward I. presenting his infant son, born at Caernarvon Castle [in] 1284, to the Welsh chieftains. Near the King is the Queen, who holds the child in her arms, with two Welsh chieftains, one of whom, kneeling, is about to kiss the Prince's hand...The plate has been designed by A. J. Barrett, and executed...by Messrs. Hunt and Roskell. It was a graceful thought of her Majesty to embody in her wedding present to the wife of her son the history of the illustrious title which he bears...The tazza, which is intended for flowers, is surmounted by the figure of St. David...[The artist has depicted] the happy occasion on which the conquering King knits together the hearts of two brave nations by conferring on them a Prince who, if not actually of the ancient British blood, had yet the merit, great in the eyes of all three Welshmen, of having been born in their country'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.