This magnificent fan was made for Queen Alexandra at the time of the coronation in 1902.

The tortoiseshell guards of the fan are elaborately set with brilliant and rose-cut diamonds. The front guard incorporates a design of trailing flowers and foliage set in silver, terminating in a diamond head and silver loop set with brilliant diamonds. The back guard is set with a crowned ‘A’ cipher, also in diamonds.

Queen Alexandra acquired a large number of fans during her lifetime; many were gifts from her family and most passed to her daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, who was an enthusiastic collector. Queen Mary gave this diamond encrusted fan to Queen Elizabeth at a family lunch at Buckingham Palace, two days before the coronation of King George VI in May 1937.