The Imperial State Crown - replica of the crown created in 1937
I was commissioned by a private client in England to make a replica of The Imperial State Crown in the style created for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and which he last wore in 1948.
For the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, her father's crown was adjusted in overall size and the arches were lowered.
The major coloured stones were cut to order by a very skilled lapidarist, Tara Coomber, who was able to replicate the colour, shape, size and facet pattern of the original stones. The crown is set with over 3000 stones (a combination of cubic zirconia and foil-backed diamante stones).
I 3D printed the 36 individually shaped pearls for the sides of the arches, together with the four pendant pearls hanging in the middle of the crown. These were given a multi-layered pearl coating by a jeweller colleague, Vicky Westgarth, to match the colour and finish of the stock round pearls I used on the two bands.
The original crown is built around a framework of gold wire. This crown is built around a framework of hardened steel wire making the crown considerably more sturdy, and less likely to be damaged or become distorted. I created the originals of every element using 3D printing software, produced the moulds and cast the 161 components needed in lead-free pewter which were then refined, polished and soldered onto the frame. The bands supporting the two rows of pearls, the custom made head-pins which attach the pearls were made in copper and account for a further 20 components. Each element was electroplated in silver or gold finishes respectively, before final assembly. The "ermine" roll was made with white synthetic fur. The velvet cap is supported by a mesh under-cap. The crown has a satin lining, and a satin draw-string inner lining.