What: An umbrella ornament, given by Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote
Where: The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG
The catalogue entry reads:
“Ornamental top for an umbrella made of silver and glass. The flat, circular base has a central hole and raised rim. Extending from the base is a short hollow stem with two holes for attaching to an umbrella. This supports a spherical body with a central band with repouse decorated edges, ten domed, silver bosses and ten round pieces of clear glass in silver settings. Behind the glass appears to be paper [?] painted with concentric circles of red and green. A rim extends out below the band and is threaded with fine chains attached with conical bells, many of which are missing. The base stem is all that remains of the finial.”
Condition Two glass decorations and several conical bells and chains are missing.
Detail
Museum number: Af1868,1230.3
Date: 18thC 19thC (?)
Acquisition name: Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh
Acquisition date: 30/12/1868