A miniature watch in a gold case, reverse with blue enamel, attached to a châtelaine, which has a pearl surmounting a diamond-set basket of flowers, further diamond-set motifs; bloodstone seal and key attached.

It was during Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's convivial visit to Louis-Philippe and his family in 1843 at the Château d'Eu in Normandy that the Princess Adélaïde d'Orléans presented this watch and chatelaine.

The Princess, more often known as Madame Adélaïde, was the sister of Louis-Philippe, King of the French. Formidably learned and politically perceptive, Adélaïde held a position of influence within the King's household, acting as his valued companion and adviser. The Princess's authority was conspicuous, prompting the Queen to remark that she was 'exceedingly kind to me, and is a very curious, amiable old lady, but somewhat of a trial to the Queen [Marie-Amélie, wife of Louis-Philippe], as nothing is ever done without her being consulted, & in fact she usurps the place of the Queen'.

Attached to the chatelaine is a bloodstone stamp carrying an impression of the monogram of Princess Adélaïde. A similar chatelaine was made as a wedding gift for the Princesse de Joinville, Louis-Philippe's daughter-in-law, also in 1843.

Engraved: From The Princess Adelaide d'Orléans, Sept. 1843, Eu. Struck with fineness mark used in Paris after 1838, and maker's mark: JLC

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