An intricately carved boxwood cradle, the body divided by nine ribs separated by carnation stems at different stages of development; friezes of fruit and flowers along the sides, Royal arms at the ends; resting on similarly decorated rockers.

Commissioned by the Queen for the infant Princess Louise, born on 18 March 1848, the shape and design of this cradle belong to the Italian Renaissance and may have been inspired by examples seen in paintings. On its delivery two years later the Queen described the cradle as ‘finer than anything of the kind, either antique or modern’ and was pleased to note how well Rogers had interwoven the emblems from the Royal Houses of England and Saxe-Coburg along with flowers and figures associated with sleep.

Inscribed: W.G. ROGERS FECIT ANNO 1850

Text adapted from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010