The Great Exhibition, 1851: Shield in Damascene Steel by Falloise

Photograph showing articles displayed by Falloise of Liége at the 1851 Great Exhibition. At the centre of the photograph is a large circular shield in damascene steel, with a figure riding a horse at its centre. Placed around the shield are a sword with its scabard, a chalice, a tazza on pedestal and, on the right, a covered cup and a tazza.

This photograph is from Volume III (RCIN 2800002) of ' Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851: Reports by the Juries on the Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition was Divided'. The incredibly successful Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, ran from May to October 1851. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert (1819-61).