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M0264
Jewellery/Accessories: M0264
Title
'Richard III' crown
Character
Olivier, Laurence (Sir)
Artist
Furse, Roger Furse, Margaret
Date
1955
Dimensions
height: 15cm
diameter: 22cm
diameter: 22cm
Other materials
Gold-tone metal crown, possibly tin, with red leather on the inside.
Provenance
From the collections of Sir Laurence Olivier and Dame Joan Plowright. It was sold at auction on the 10th of December 2024, by Julien*s auctioneers, Beverly Hills, USA. It was purchased by member Derek Johns and kindly donated to the Garrick Club in January 2025.
Other number
E0167
A gold-tone metal crown worn by Sir Laurence Olivier as Richard III in the film 'Richard III' (London Films, 1955), which he also produced and directed. It is thought to be the crown Olivier wears during the film's battle scene. The costumes for the film were designed by Roger Furse (1903-1972) with his wife Margaret (1911-1974), who collaborated with Olivier on both stage and screen, and often on Shakespearean productions. At Olivier's funeral on 14 July 1989 at Westminster Abbey, the crown was carried to the altar by Sir Derek Jacobi in a procession of actors, including Sir John Gielgud and Dame Maggie Smith, who carried symbolic items on cushions relating to Olivier.
