MEM A stunning 28 x 22.5cm presentation sample of the coronation dress of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by the renowned English couturier Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell. The sample offers a splendid detail of the intricate embroidered decoration on white satin of the coronation gown, featuring the floral emblems of the United Kingdom and of the Commonwealth countries. These comprise a Tudor rose, embroidered in pale pink silk with pearls, gold and silver bullions and rose diamante; the Scottish thistle in mauve silk and amethysts, with a calyx in silver thread, green silk and diamante drewdrops; the Welsh leek in white and pale green silk with diamante drewdrops; the Irish shamrock, embroidered in green silk, silver bullions and diamante. Commonwealth countries are represented by the Canadian maple leaf in green silk with a crystal vein and gold border; the silver fern of New Zealand, embroidered in pale green silk, silver and crystal; the Australian wattle flower made with a coarse yellow wool along with green and gold silk leaves; the South African protea in shaded pink silk, with green silk leaves and silver outlined petals; the Indian lotus flower, worked in white and pale pink thread, diamante and mother of pearl and the three floral emblems of Pakistan: wheat in diamante and golden crystal, cotton in silver and green leaves and jute in green silk and golden thread. The emblems are gathered together by an embroidered ribbon featuring silver thread, pearls and diamante drewdrops. The Queen's cipher "ER" is embroidered with golden bullions at the bottom. Framed and glazed, overall size 45 x 37.5cm. Mounted to the rear of the frame is an annotated pictorial key to the floral emblems, with an explanation of their significance and a concluding note written and signed by Norman Hartnell: "To Madame Isabelle (Mrs Fowler). I inscribe this memento of the dress I designed and made for the Coronation of the most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey on June 2nd 1953. With gratitude Norman Hartnell". The coronation dress took eight months to complete and the Queen declared it "glorious". Provenance: The family of Isabelle Fowler (Madame Isabelle), who assisted Hartnell in making the dress. Undoubtedly a museum quality item.