In 1936 Edward VIII became King of England upon the death of his father. Before his coronation could take place, however, he abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. His younger brother,George VI (father of the present Queen Elizabeth) was crowned in his place. In the same year, Oneida introduced a pattern named Coronation in its line of Community silverplate. This same pattern was marketed in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as Hampton Court.
This makes some sense when you understand that the design of the Coronation pattern, with its carved fruit and floral shapes,
Detail of Coronation pattern motif
was inspired by the carvings of Grinling Gibbons at Hampton Court.
Detail of typical Gibbons carving
My Internet-available American Silver Booklets document Coronation, as well as a number of other popular patterns such as Grosvenor and Lady Hamilton. All booklets are free and can be read on-line or downloaded. Click here to see a complete listing with links.
Additional detailed information is also available at a Coronation Pattern Flatware Page on the Internet.
I have trying to print out your booklet on Coronation for my sister who is getting married soon. She had picked up a couple place setting at an Estate sale and fell in love with it. Now I have purchased a 12 place setting set of Coronation silver-plate for her wedding and would love to give her the booklet on its history. Interesting enough, she has a British father and an American mother making Coronation/Hampton Court such a fitting pattern for her. Is there a way for you to send me a link in the reply? Or is there a way for me to purchase a booklet from you?
Thank you,
–Erin Sloan
This is fascinating. I have been sent a link to your post as I bought some 2nd hand Hampton Court silverware yesterday to go with the Oneida silverware I bought in 1972. I had no idea that this pattern had such a rich history or had been designed even 30 years prior to when I purchased it. It is still an elegant pattern, and we use this flatware every day.
Margaret Powling
Devon, England.
Thank you! I have been looking for a resource book on the “Grosvenor” pattern. I started out with the set pictured on the cover of Gluck’s book (I love the image on the original box), and I am slowly adding to the set.
I assume by the book you mean the silver booklet on line: https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=B5DA1F30D774D943!831&ithint=file%2c.pdf&app=WordPdf&authkey=!APLbI4cSMt3VaFs.
Grosvenor is a wonderful pattern.