MFA Boston Acquire Coburg Eagle
Our eagle has flown….to the MFA, Boston. Designed by Prince Albert, it was one of twelve such brooches presented by Queen Victoria to her train bearers immediately after her wedding ceremony on 10th February 1840. The eagle, symbol of the House of Coburg, is set with turquoise (the colour of forget-me-not flowers), while its eyes are set with rubies (symbolic of passion) and its beak with diamonds (for eternity). The pearls in its talons represent true love. The British Museum and the Royal Collection have two further examples, while another two remain with descendants of the original recipients and are located at Hatfield House and Woburn Abbey.
This is the first example to enter an American museum collection.