CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Crowns and Coronets

Crowns and coronets were sometimes incorporated into the decoration of antique boxes to indicate the rank or status of their owners.

A crown is most commonly associated with a monarch, while members of the Royal Family and the peerage may bear distinctive coronets. Within the British peerage, their designs vary according to rank, with different combinations of strawberry leaves and pearls distinguishing dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons.

When engraved or inlaid onto a box, a crown or coronet could appear alone or above a monogram, crest or coat of arms, providing an important clue to the identity and status of the original owner.

British crown and coronet nobility rankings in hierarchical order.
British crown and coronet nobility rankings in hierarchical order.
Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander with Secret Wall Compartments, by Asprey.
Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander with Secret Wall Compartments, by Asprey. VIEW THIS BOX →
A marquess or marchioness’s coronet.
A marquess or marchioness’s coronet.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Viscountess Coronet, by William Leuchars.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Viscountess Coronet, by William Leuchars. VIEW THIS BOX →
A viscountess’s coronet above an ‘M.A’ monogram belonging to Viscountess Marian Alford.
A viscountess’s coronet above an ‘M.A’ monogram belonging to Viscountess Marian Alford.
Rear view with the lid raised, showing the countess’s coronet on the coromandel exterior of the William Leuchars jewellery box.
Large Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with countess’s Coronet, by William Leuchars. VIEW THIS BOX →
Earl or countess’s coronet above a monogram on a rectangular silver plaque.
An earl or countess’s coronet.
Extra-Large Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Concealed Drawers.
Extra-Large Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Concealed Drawers. VIEW THIS BOX →
Earl or countess’s coronet above a monogram inlaid into coromandel.
An earl or countess’s coronet.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, Retailed by C. F. Hancock - A Wedding Present from the Marquess of Queensberry to the Marchioness of Queensberry.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, Retailed by C. F. Hancock - A Wedding Present from the Marquess of Queensberry to the Marchioness of Queensberry. VIEW THIS BOX →
A marchioness’s coronet above an ‘S.Q’ monogram belonging to the Marchioness of Queensberry.
A marchioness’s coronet above an ‘S.Q’ monogram belonging to the Marchioness of Queensberry.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub. VIEW THIS BOX →
Coronet and monogram belonging to Baroness Rothschild.
Coronet and monogram belonging to Baroness Rothschild.
Leuchars Coromandel Antique Jewellery Box with Baron/ Baroness Coronet.
Leuchars Coromandel Antique Jewellery Box with Baron/ Baroness Coronet. VIEW THIS BOX →
A baron or baroness’s coronet.
A baron or baroness’s coronet.
Asprey coromandel box with an inlaid duke or duchess’s crown.
Asprey coromandel box with an inlaid duke or duchess’s coronet.
A duke or duchess’s crown.
A duke or duchess’s coronet.
Rear view with the lid raised, showing the coronet and monogram on the coromandel exterior.
Asprey Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel. VIEW THIS BOX →
Coronet and monogram belonging to Mary Constance Wyndham, Countess of Wemyss.
Coronet belonging to Mary Constance Wyndham, Countess of Wemyss.
Rear view with the lid raised, showing the central plaque on the rosewood exterior.
Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood by Edwards. VIEW THIS BOX →
Earl or countess’s coronet above an engraved monogram on a rectangular plaque.
An earl or countess’s coronet.
Rear view with the lid raised, showing the brass-inlaid coronet monogram on the kingwood exterior.
Antique Jewellery Box in Kingwood with Brass Inlaid Coronet Monogram. VIEW THIS BOX →
Earl or countess’s coronet above an engraved monogram within an oval decorative mount.
An earl or countess’s coronet.

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