The Symbols of Sovereignty
The Objects Held by the Sovereign during a Coronation
In addition to the St. Edward’s Crown and the Imperial State Crown, there are other important symbols of sovereignty that are used during a coronation. These include the Royal Sceptre, the Sovereign’s Sceptre, the Ampulla and Anointing Spoon, and the Sovereign’s Orb.
The Royal Sceptre
The Royal Sceptre is held in the sovereign’s right hand. It was created in 1661 for Charles II. It is made of gold and topped by a diamond-encrusted cross with an emerald set in the center. Below the cross is an amethyst. Below the amethyst is a pear shaped diamond known as the Star of Africa, which was set in the scepter in 1910. The Star of Africa is the largest cut diamond in the world. It weighs 530 carats.
The Star of Africa was cut from a diamond found at the de Beers Premier mine in South Africa by Frederick Wells in 1905. Wells was the manager of the mine. The diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats, was the largest ever found. It was named the Cullinan Diamond after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the president of de Beers. In 1907 it was given to King Edward VII on his birthday by the Transvaal Government. The Transvaal Government requested that the diamond should be set in one of the royal crowns. The diamond was too large to do so and Edward decided to have it split. J. Asscher of Amsterdam was chosen to cut the diamond. It was split into four pieces. The largest piece was the Star of Africa. The Second Star of Africa is set in the Imperial State Crown. The Third and Fourth Stars of Africa are now worn by Queen Elizabeth II as a brooch.
The Sovereign's Sceptre
The Sovereign’s Sceptre is held in the sovereign’s left hand. It is slender and made of gold. The scepter is surmounted by a jeweled monde, or ball-shaped object, made of gold. The monde is topped by a golden cross and a white enameled dove. The Sovereign’s Sceptre symbolizes equity and mercy.
The Sovereign's Orb
The Sovereign’s Orb is held in the sovereign’s left hand during the coronation ceremony. It is a gold globe encircled by a band edged with pearls and decorated with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds set within diamond clusters. The globe is topped by an amethyst set beneath a jeweled cross. The orb symbolizes the dominion of the Christian religion over the world.
The Ampulla and the Anointing Spoon
The two oldest objects used in the coronation ceremony are the ampulla and the anointing spoon. The ampula is gold and in the shape of an eagle. It holds the holy oil that is used to anoint the Sovereign’s head, palms, and breast during the ceremony. The eagle’s head unscrews to admit the oil. The oil is then poured through the beak. The eagle’s body is believed to date to the 14th century. The gold work, wings, and base were added in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II.
The holy oil is poured into the anointing spoon. It is silver-gilt. The stem is chased and set with four pearls. There is evidence that the spoon was used at the coronation of King John in 1199.
These symbols of sovereignty are kept in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
Sources:
Butler, Colonel Sir Thomas. The Coronation Jewels and Coronation Ceremony. London: Pitkin Pictorials, 1992.
English Monarchs. "The Crown Jewels" (accessed July 17, 2009)
The Coronation of Elizabeth II
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Ampulla and Anointing Spoon
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