Souvenir - Royal Anointing Spoon with Certificate
1953Item 1: gold plate ornate metal spoon
Item 2: a sheet of card with red and black text
Of all the objects used within coronations, the ampulla and spoon are arguably the most important. They are required for the anointing, which is the most sacred part of the coronation service.
The ampulla, shaped like an eagle, holds the consecrated oil with which the monarch is anointed. It was made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661.
Unlike the regalia that had to be remade in the 17th century, the spoon is the only item to survive Oliver Cromwell’s destruction of the sacred symbols of monarchy after the English Civil War. It dates back to the early 12th century, and is recorded amongst objects at the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey in an inventory.
Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, used the spoon to anoint Queen Elizabeth II’s hands, breast, and forehead with holy oil during her coronation on 2nd June, 1953, at Westminster Abbey. One suggestion is that the divided bowl of the spoon was designed in this fashion so that the archbishop might dip two fingertips into the holy oil.
Details
Details
Item 1: Back of spoon: "Made in England. TB"
Item 2: Certificate: "Royal Anointing Spoon. The Anointing Spoon, of which the enclosed is a faithful reproduction, is of great historic importance. Authentic records show that it dates back to the XII Century and has been used in the Coronation ceremonies from that date. It is interesting to note that the Spoon and Ampulla are the only existing items of the original Royal Regalia. Made under approval - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II"
This is a replica of the Royal Anointing Spoon used at Queen Elizabeth II Coronation in 1953.
