The Great Exhibition, 1851: Cradle carved in Boxwood by Rogers

Photograph of a cradle carved for Queen Victoria (1819-1901). The photograph shows one end of the cradle with its rocking edge curving into scrolls at each side. The body of the cradle is boat-shaped and highly carved with the coat of arms in the centre and surrounded by six medallions. A carved crown sits on top. The cradle was exhibited by Rogers at the Great Exhibition.

This photograph is from Volume IV (RCIN 2800003) 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).