In January 1856, Queen Victoria sent a brooch to Florence Nightingale in commemoration of her work and dedication to nursing the sick during the Crimean War. The brooch was intended to signify more than just a piece of jewellery, the brooch was intended to be a sign of Royal appreciation in the absence of a medal or established decoration suitable for presentation to a female civilian.
The design of the brooch was overseen by The Queen's husband Prince Albert. The brooch design features a central oval enamel plaque depicting the cross of St. George against a white background with applied diamond initial VR and crown cypher, within a blue enamel legend inscribed with 'Blessed Are The Merciful' the plaque is surmounted with green enamel palms, above a pale blue enamel ribbon with the legend, Crimea with diamond triple star surmount.
The inscription on the back reads 'To Miss Florence Nightingale as a mark of esteen and graditude for her devotion towards the Queen's brave soldiers. From Victoria R 1855'
The letter witten by Queen Victoria which accompanied this brooch - January 1856
"Dear Miss Nightingale -
You are, i know, well aware of the high sense I entertain of the Christian devotion which you have displayed during this great and bloody war, and I need hardly repeat to you how warm my admiration is for your services, which are fully equal to those of my dear and brave soldiers, whose sufferings you have had the privilege of alleviating in so merciful manner I am, however anxious of marking my feelings in a manner which I trust will be agreeable to you, and therefore send you with this letter a brooch the form and emblems of which commemorate your great and blessed work, and which, I hope, you will wear as a mark of the high approbation of your Sovereign! It will be a very great satisfaction to me, when you return at last It will be a to these shores, to make the acquaintance of one who has set so bright a example to our sex. And with every prayer for the preservation of your valuable health, believe me, always, yours sincerely,
VICTORIA R."
After Florence received the brooch, her sister Lady Verney, wrote urging her to wear this gift, and she does seem to have done so on one occasion, a party given at the British Embassy in Scutari on Christmas Day, 1855. Lady Hornby, who was present at the Embassy wrote to her sister Mrs Vaillant, on January 5th, 1856, the following description of the most distinguished guest:
"Her dress, as I have said, was black, made high to the throat, its only ornament being a large enamelled brooch, which looked to me like the colours of a regiment surmounted with a wreath or laurel, no doubt some graceful offering from our men."
The brooch now resides in the National Army Museum.