- Brief description
- Charles Dickens's ornamental court sword and scabbard
- Label
- Dickens wore this sword and scabbard to a levée (a formal morning reception) at St James Palace on 6 April 1870, two months before his death. The Queen was not there, but Dickens met Edward, Prince of Wales.
A levée, initially the simple act of a monarch getting up in the morning, became a formal reception to allow intimate access to the monarch. Officials, diplomats, and military officers were presented individually to the sovereign in the Throne Room. Swords like this one were worn as part of formal court dress for centuries and still are in some ceremonies. - Collection
- Object
- Object number
- DH716
- Object type
- ornamental sword
- Production organisation
- Skinner & Co.
- Production date
- 1860-1870
- Inscription content
- Skinner & Co.
50 Jermyn St
London - Inscription description
- Marked on the blade.
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/ DH716, 1996
