Object of the Month: June 2022

Dryad Crown

Published: 31 May 2022

Chosen by: Fiona Graham, Collections Officer

Collection: Decorative Arts

Object Name:

Canework Crown

Woven by Charles Crampton, Dryad

Cane, wood, textile c.1953

Gift of Dryad Ltd, Leicester

This dramatic canework crown was woven by the expert basket maker, Charles Crampton as a display piece to celebrate the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.

It is modelled on St Edward’s Crown, used for the actual crowning of the monarch. It was specially produced for the Dryad Company in Leicester, where Crampton had worked for many years. Dryad became a hugely successful company trading around the world and marked the Coronation by decorating their showrooms with examples of canework.

The Object of the Month can be seen in person throughout June at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.