Queen Victoria Souvenir Handkerchief

Souvenir handkerchief made to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The year before, she had surpassed her grandfather George III as the longest reigning monarch of British history.

This handkerchief was designed to remind the owner of her extensive dominions, covering Canada, Australia, India and Africa, specifically recalling her title of Empress of India.

Victoria was officially made Empress of India 1877. She had already been learning Hindi and Punjabi for some years. She is flanked by her son and grandson, both later to take the throne and the title of Emperor of India.

This simple, everyday object was considered interesting enough to be kept and treasured, later becoming a framed artwork and then, more than one hundred years later, a museum piece.