English: The Royal Family diamond and enamel order of George IV, 1820s

Decorated at the centre with an enamel portrait miniature of King George IV when Prince Regent by Henry Bone, framed with single-cut diamonds, within a rose diamond wreath mounted in yellow gold, further embellished with circular-cut diamonds, the Royal Crown surmount applied with red enamel set with circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds, the reverse enhanced with a rose diamond monogram GR IV for Georgius Rex IV, surmounted by a similarly designed Royal Crown.

The Royal Family diamond and enamel order of George IV

Provenance

Given by King George IV (1762-1830) to his older sister Elisabeth, Princess of the United Kingdom (1770-1840) married to Frederic VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg (1769-1829).

Caroline, Princess of Hesse-Homburg (1819-1872) married to Heinrich XX, Prince of Reuss-Greiz (1794-1859).

Their son Heinrich XXII, Prince of Reuss-Greiz (1846-1902) married to Ida, Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe (1852-1891).

Their daughter Emma, Princess of Reuss-Greiz (1881-1961) married to Erich Künigl, Count of Ehrenburg (1880-1930).

Their daughter Marie-Hermine Künigl, Countess of Ehrenburg (1904-1981) married to Otto Daublebsky, Baron of Sterneck (1902- 1942).

This impressive diamond-set order was gifted by King George IV (1762-1830) to his sister Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg (1770-1840). After spending most of her youth in England, she married the German Prince Frederic VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg (1769-1829) in 1818. Her niece Caroline of Hesse-Homburg (1819-1872), Princess of Reuss-Greiz by marriage, inherited the order. In turn it was inherited by the latter’s son Heinrich XXII, Prince of Reuss-Greiz (1846-1902) who left it to his daughter Emma of Reuss-Greiz (1881-1961), Countess of Ehrenburg by marriage. Thence it was passed down by descent. Royal Family Order

The order containing the portrait of the King was created as a Royal Family Order. Following his accession to the throne in 1820, King George IV established the tradition of the Royal Family Order by which a monarch can bestow this distinction upon female members of the Royal Family as an expression of appreciation. Almost every sovereign since King George IV has created his or her Royal Family Order. Each time the order consists of a portrait miniature within a diamond frame, surmounted by a diamond and enamel crown, worn suspended from a silk ribbon fashioned as a bow. The Family Order of King George IV featured a white bow, while Queen Elizabeth II’s order featured a yellow bow.

King George IV’s Family Order depicts the King facing sideways while wearing a field marshal’s uniform with the Order of the Golden Fleece and the stars of the Orders of the Garter and Holy Spirit. This image was taken from a state portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence painted circa 1814-1815 while King George IV was still Prince-Regent. The Royal Collection holds three similar King George IV Family Orders both by and attributed to Henry Bone. The first belonged Charlotte, Queen of Württemberg and Princess Royal (1766-1828), the oldest sister of King George IV. The second belonged to Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Cambridge (1797-1889), a sister-in-law of the King, whereas the third belonged to her daughter Augusta, Grand-Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1822-1916). The first two examples differ in their design of the frame, featuring a foliage of oak leaves. The third example has a simple border consisting of a single line of diamonds. All four orders carry the diamond-set initials GR IV at the reverse.

Henry Bone

Henry Bone (1755-1834) was a renowned enamel painter who is particularly remembered for his work at the British court during the Regency era. Henry Bone started his career as a porcelain painter at Plymouth and Bristol before moving to London in 1778. Gradually he established himself as the most sought after miniature painter in the capital. In the late 18th century, the fashion for miniatures on ivory ,which originated in France, was increasingly preferred over the older art of enamel miniature painting. Henry Bone was granted the distinction of enamel painter to the Prince of Wales in 1800 and was admitted to the Royal Academy the following year. His later career was marked by increasingly large and ambitious enamels depicting scenes from English history.