3-021-388 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Testimonial to Mr. Henry Brand, M.P., from the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1868. 'The presentation of the testimonial which was subscribed by the Liberal members of the House of Commons for the Right Hon. Henry Brand, upon his retirement from the office of Patronage Secretary, took place, last Saturday evening, at a banquet given in Willis's Booms. The testimonial consists of several handsome pieces of plate. The chief is a plateau of silver, with semicircular ends, in the style of Queen Anne, and with lion crest supports, holding a centrepiece, consisting of a circular pedestal, which supports a figure of her Majesty [Queen Victoria] in her state robes and bearing the insignia of Royalty. Around the base of the pedestal are a number of medallions of distinguished members of the House of Commons - Hampden, Pym, Somers, Walpole, Chatham, Burke, Fox, Grey, Grattan, Macaulay, Cobden, and Palmerston. The centrepiece has on each side a dish to hold flowers, and there are two richly-chased seven-light candelabra in the same style. The plate was manufactured by Messrs. Garrard, goldsmiths to the Queen, and cost about £2000, subscribed by 387 noblemen and gentlemen who either are or have been members of the House of Commons'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.