The Queen's Best Bits
Commentary by CBS News Correspondent Tom Fenton.
King Charles I founded the Royal Collection in the 17th century, and then lost it in England's Civil War. The anti-monarchists cut off his head and sold off his paintings and furniture.
When the monarchy was restored, Charles II also restored the collection, confiscating some of it from its new owners and buying back much of the rest.
Later monarchs added richly to what is now one of the world's finest
private collections of art.
William III, following the new French fashion, melted down his silverware to make a stunning solid silver table that is now on display in the queen's new Gallery in an annex of Buckingham Palace. The items in the new exhibit are drawn from royal residences around Britain. They are some of best things the queen owns.
Some are not normally on display, like the rare trompe l'oeil Italian chest of drawers that used to be in her bedroom in Windsor Castle. It has been restored to its original splendor.
Many of the paintings and art objects are among the best in the world for their category, such as the exquisite painting by Vermeer ("Lady at
the Virginal") bought by George III, who was the last King of America. He purchased the collection of the British ambassador to Venice, and, in one fell swoop, acquired what is still the world's finest collection of paintings by Canaletto.
Queen Victoria, like the present queen, was not one to throw money around. Her tastes in painting were generally limited to family portraits and the like. But some of the fabulous jewels she acquired from her worldwide empire are stunningly on display, as is the monumental jewel chest given to her by her husband, Prince Albert.
All this can been seen in the new Gallery, and much more, including some of the best items from the royal collection of drawings by the great masters. (She has no less than 600 drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.)
The gallery has just opened as part of the celebrations this year marking the Golden Jubilee of the queen's reign. One remarkable thing is how little the present queen has added to the royal collection. Whether that reflects her reluctance to spend her great wealth, or a lack of great art on the market these days, is not clear.
A ticket to see the display will cost you not quite $10.
Written by Tom Fenton