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Portrait - King James I

The Portrait of King James I

The Musicians' Company Archive Project
The Musicians' Company Archive Project

"On 9 July 1929, the Treasurer, Arthur Hill, presented the Company with one of its most treasured possessions, a portrait of King James I. Very little is known about the provenance of the painting, but it is thought to be contemporary.

 

Richard Crewdson - Apollo's Swan and Lyre, 2000, p.222

Image right is a 1931 letter from the Guildhall Art Gallery confirming that the James I picture hangs in the Upper Gallery. Click the image for a larger view

The Musicians' Company Archive Project
The Musicians' Company Archive Project

Image left is the painting out of its frame. It is taken from Richard Crewdson's book, as is the following caption:

 

"The King attached great symbolic importance to the jewels which he wore in his hat. In this portrait he is wearing a setting of three diamonds and one huge ruby which he commissioned in 1604 and which was known as 'the Mirror of Great Britain'. Another great diamond known as the 'Sancy' diamond hangs as a pendant.

                                  Apollo's Swan and Lyre, 2000, p.78

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