Souvenir - Royal Anointing Spoon certificate

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Overview

a sheet of card with red and black text

Historical information

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 among objects at the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey in an inventory

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2025.nil2

Item type

Ephemera

Themes

Social History

Material

Card

Inscriptions and markings

"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 Ampula are the only existing items of the original Royal Regalia. Made under approval - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Keywords

Queen Elizabeth II

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Last modified

Sunday, 19 October, 2025

Completeness

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Busselton Historical Society