- Members of the public are invited to visit The Commandery on Sunday 9 November to view the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars Fabergé study ‘The Pear Blossom’.
- On display for one day only, as part of the city’s Armistice commemorations, all money from ticket sales will be donated to The Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery project.
- Find out more: https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/events/special-event-see-faberge-the-pear-blossom/
Members of the public are invited to visit The Commandery on Sunday 9 November, 11.30am – 4pm, for a unique opportunity to view the rare piece of Fabergé ‘The Pear Blossom’ gifted to The Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars in 1904.
On display for one day only, as part of the city’s Armistice commemorations, all money from tickets sales on the day will be donated by Worcester City Council to support the fundraising campaign for The Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery project. ‘The Pear Blossom’ was last on display in the city to the public over 30 years ago.
Stamford Cartwright, Curator of the Worcestershire Yeomanry museum said: “The Fabergé ‘The Pear Blossom’ is really a beautiful and important object not just for The Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars but for the whole of Worcester, it’s incredibly rare for the Jewel to be on public display. We are therefore delighted that we can display this priceless object in order to help raise funds for The Worcestershire Soldier Gallery at The Commandery.
“The Jewel will have its own special guard of soldiers throughout the exhibition from B (S, WWY) Sqn. The Royal Yeomanry and 54th (QOWWY) Sqn. Royal Signals the successor Squadrons to the Worcestershire Yeomanry demonstrating how valuable and special this wonderful object is.”
The precious ornament is owned in trust by the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry Charitable Trust and was gifted to The Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars, in 1904 by Rachel, Countess of Dudley, the wife of Major the Lord Dudley, the second in command of the Regiment at that time, to celebrate the award of the Battle Honour ‘South Africa’ upon its return from the Boer War. The gold, diamond and jade jewel is a focal point for the members of the Regiment past and present, and has been called the rarest, most poetic manifestation of Faberge’s work.
Whilst the Jewel is on display visitors can enjoy a short, free talk about the Fabergé Jewel on the hour from 12pm onwards as well as the opportunity to view plans for the new Worcestershire Soldier exhibition.
No booking is required, just drop in (last entry 3pm). Visitors are welcome to explore the rest of The Commandery on the day. Tickets are Adults – £9, Children under 5 – FREE, Children 5 – 16yrs – £4.10, Family ticket (up to 2 adults & 3 children) – £23*. All monies raised through ticket sales on the day will be donated to The Worcestershire Soldier Gallery at The Commandery project. Please note, there are no pricing concessions on the day as this is fund raising activity.
The Worcestershire Soldier at the Commandery will see the creation of a brand-new exhibition of Worcester’s regimental displays. This exhibition will secure the future of the gallery as well as bring the Worcestershire Soldier’s story into the heart of Worcester’s heritage quarter. In doing so this provides an opportunity to redevelop the current displays, which have been in place for over twenty years. It is anticipated that the new galleries will open in early 2028.
The Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery, funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund will create an engaging and educational space that celebrates the rich military history of Worcestershire, with a focus on the experience of its soldiers. The project has also received generous support from the UK Government’s Townsfund.
Find out more about the special event here: https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/events/special-event-see-faberge-the-pear-blossom/
Find out more about The Worcestershire Soldier Gallery at The Commandery here: https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/museums/the-commandery/the-worcestershire-soldier-gallery-at-the-commandery/
*Due to the special event admission charge there will be no free entry on the day for Worcester resident pass holders or Commandery season ticket holders.