3-065-940 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Casket for the City of London Address to the Emperor of Russia, 1874. 'The address will be kept in a gold casket, now being manufactured by Mr. J. W. Benson, the design of which was shown to the Emperor [Alexander II]. This work of art is of an elaborate character. It is of the Cinque-cento style, of an oblong shape, and supported at each end by the Russian Imperial eagles, resting on balls of malachite. On the obverse side in the centre panel will be displayed in coloured enamel, on gold, the ceremony of presentation, the figures portrayed being actual likenesses of his Imperial Majesty and the Royal party, as well as those of the Lord Mayor and other officers of the Corporation. The smaller panels at each end will be filled in with scrolls in enamel of the Royal arms of England and Russia, and views of the Guildhall and St. Paul's. The casket will be surmounted by a figure emblematical of Trade and Commerce, resting on the arms of the city of London; while the two fluted enwreathed pillars at each angle of the casket will represent the Thames and emblematically the Trade of the City, the whole being supported by four Russian Imperial eagles, enamelled and mounted with gold. The designer of this work for Mr. Benson is Mr. T. Walter Wilson'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.