
Luke Batterham
Senior Valuer
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Senior Valuer
'THE REMAINDER OF THE CORONATION BILL': Sir James Thornhill's bill for the coronation and early months of the reign of George II. George II's coronation on 11 October 1727 was a particularly magnificent, if not very well organized, occasion with 'the queen being ablaze from head to foot with jewels, most of them hired' (J.M. Rigg, DNB). It is remembered today however for seeing the performance of four anthems by Handel, including the inimitable 'Zadok the Priest' which has been a constant in the services ever since; indeed the service has been recreated by Robert King and the King's Consort for Hyperion Records, 2001, and a re-enactment was staged at the Proms in 2002.
We have found no record of any manuscript material by Thornhill – 'the least studied of the great names in British art history' (Tabitha Barber, ODNB) – having appeared at auction.