A curious document

A curious Document

Words curated by Mary Kisler

As you may know, part of the role of the society is to educate members around the items in the Mackelvie Collection and we are thankful for the knowledge of the experts that we can call upon.

Mary Kisler has kindly shared with us insight into one of the more fascinating pieces in the collection, which she has called 'a curious document'.

From his comfortable home behind Westminster Abbey after his return to England in 1871, James Tannock Mackelvie was able to venture forth to all the great sights of London, from the British Museum to the South Kensington Museums, book, and antique shops and the ever-changing auction houses. And being a man of his time, he was fascinated by ways in which the past might be kept alive in people’s imaginations.

A small piece of paper now held in his archive at Sir George Grey Special Collections (Auckland Library), offers a tantalising glimpse of one particular location that attracted his attention the comfortable house he rented at what was then 21 Victoria St was just along the road from Westminster Abbey and, on November 23, 1974, he made his way to the Abbey with the aforesaid paper, handwritten in black ink, which gives him permission to view the wax effigies of former aristocrats, kings and queens.

The tradition of parading effigies of the deceased was a part of funeral processions in many countries in Europe, allowing the public to remember the dead, and reinforcing the power many maintained, even after death.

In England, such figures were first made in the thirteenth century, and usually lain on top of the coffin. Removed once that had arrived at the particular church at which the funeral was held, they often became the property of that particular institution.

Initially the heads were carved in wood, and the clothed figure of straw and plaster, almost always in a recumbent position, and wearing clothing that belonged to the deceased. Other heads were actual plaster death masks, giving the effigy an uncannily lifelike appearance. By the time of King Charles II’s death in 1684 in the old calendar (now 1685), the practice had ceased, and only his crown was placed above his coffin.

However, a full-size wax effigy was displayed above his resting place, dressed elaborately in the fashion of the time. The malleability of wax, with painted features, glass eyes and wigs, further enhanced his lifelike appearance. Some of the nobility had their effigies made in their lifetime, so they could personally choose what the figure would wear. Catherine, Duchess of Buckingham, for example, selected a most fetching pair of shoes for hers.

For more info on Wax effigies, click the button below.