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HER MAJESTY'S STATE
COACH.
This Coach, used at Her Majesty's Coronation,
was designed by Sir William Chambers, and finished
in the year 5765. The paintings, of which the
following are the most important, were executed by
Cipriani.
The Front Panel:
Britannia seated on a throne holding a Staff of
Liberty, attended by Religion, Justice, Wisdom,
Valour, Fortitude, Commerce, Plenty, and Victory,
presenting her with a Garland of Laurel ; in the
background a view of St. Paul's and the River
Thames.
The Right Door:
Industry and Ingenuity giving a Cornucopia to the
Genius of England, and on each side History
recording the Reports of Fame, and Peace burning the
Implements of War.
The Back Panel:
Neptune and Amphitrite issuing from their palace in
a triumphant car, drawn by sea-horses, attended by
the Winds, Rivers, Tritons, and Naiads, bringing the
tribute of the world to the British shore.
Upper of Back Panel:
The Royal Arms, ornamented with the Order of St.
George; the Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle entwined.
The Left Door: Mars,
Minerva, and Mercury supporting the Imperial Crown
of Great Britain, and on each side the Liberal Arts
and Sciences protected.
The design of
the Coach itself is in keeping with the above ideas.
The length of the Carriage is 24 feet ; width, 8
feet 3 inches ; height, 12 feet ; length of pole, 12
feet 4 inches; weight, 4 tons. The harness is made
of red morocco leather. On State occasions eight
cream-coloured horses, as here represented, are
used.
Site Copyright Worldwide 2010. Text and
poetry written by
Sir Hubert Maxwell is not to be reproduced without
express Permission.
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