George VI Polychrome Painted Card Coronation Coat Of Arms C.1936

The very decorative and large early twentieth century period polychrome painted armorial on thick moulded and pressed card, with a cornflower blue ground, showing the Royal Coat of Arms with unicorn and lion, GRvi 1936, and Latin “Honi soit qui mal y pense” and “Dieu et mon droit” in gold and red, referring to the divine right of the Monarch to govern, survives as a beautiful decorative element from the coronation.

The armorial has primarily survived in one piece, though, as per the photographs, the edges have losses. It still displays well with the original pine backing struts verso and as it is not particularly heavy it could therefore be displayed on any wall.

Coats of arms such as this are more commonly found in polychromed and carved wood, gesso, or cast iron. This large example was probably more ephemeral and due to its material and size would have been part of the processions and celebrations in December of 1936.

The Latin is of course the motto of the English chivalric Order of the Garter. This statement supposedly originated when King Edward III was dancing with his first cousin and daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent. Her garter slipped down to her ankle, causing those around her to snicker at her humiliation. In an act of chivalry Edward placed the garter around his own leg, saying "Honi soit qui mal y pense", and the phrase later became the motto of the Order.

The coronation of George VI and his wife, Elizabeth, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, Emperor and Empress of India took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on Wednesday 12 May 1937. George VI ascended the throne upon the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, on 11 December 1936, three days before his 41st birthday which is when this armorial would have been crafted. Edward's coronation had been planned for 12 May and it was decided to continue with his brother and sister-in-law's coronation on the same date. George VI was King until his death in 1952 and was also the last Emperor of India from 1936 until the British Raj was dissolved in August 1947, and the first Head of the Commonwealth following the London Declaration of 1949.

A very decorative example of its type, and, in this material, much more affordable.