Gold
The beauty and symbolism of gold, from the Early Bronze Age to the 20th century, is celebrated through 50 items drawn from across the entire breadth of the Royal Collection.
Gold explores the distinctive qualities that make this rare and precious metal an enduring expression of the highest status, both earthly and divine.
Among the most striking examples in the exhibition are the Rillaton Cup, from a Bronze Age burial around 1700–1500 BC, a gold crown from Ecuador that pre-dates the Inca invasion, and an 18th-century tiger's head in gold and rock crystal from the throne of Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore in India.
This exhibition will move to The Queen's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh on March 2015.
Exhibition Highlights
Indian
Tiger's head
Charles Robert Leslie (1794-1859)
Queen Victoria Receiving the Sacrament at her Coronation, 28 June 1838
British
The Rillaton cup
Video: Books of Gold
Watch a bookbinder from Royal Collection Trust apply gold leaf to the edges of the pages of a book and decorate a...
Video: A goldsmith at work
Giovanni Corvaja, a contemporary jeweller, demonstrates a series of techniques working with gold.
Video: Gilding furniture
Two furniture gilders from Royal Collection Trust restore a gold table
Video: The Gold State Coach
This film combines contemporary and historic film footage of the Gold State Coach
Access
We welcome visitors with different access requirements
Podcast: Royal gold, reflections of power
Kathryn Jones, Curator of Decorative Arts, examines a few of these works of art in detail
Podcast: the use of gold in royal couture
There is a strong tradition of the use of cloth of gold and gold embroidery in royal clothing
Events programme
Map & directions
By train
The nearest train stations are London Victoria (10 minute walk) or London Charing Cross (20 minute walk).
Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By underground
The nearest tube stations are Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park and Hyde Park Corner (all approximately 10 minutes walk).
For further information visit the Transport for London website.
By coach / bus
Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.
For further information visit the Transport for London website.
