Brooch of the crossed flags of Britain and France, pave-set with rubies, sapphires and diamonds. Central staff topped by diamond crescent and gold ball, with central diamond-set star and crescent and emerald-set laurel wreath; enamelled ribbon below. This brooch was intended to celebrate the British alliance with France and Turkey in the Crimean War. It was presented to the Queen at Christmas in 1855, several months before the Congress of Paris was convened, although by this date Sebastopol had fallen to the French. As a personal gift from Prince Albert, it was one of a select group of jewels specified by Queen Victoria in her will to be left to the Crown. The Queen was criticised by the press at times during 1855 for her apparent lack of concern for international affairs; however, when Sebastopol fell in September, victory bonfires were lit on the beacons at Balmoral and the Queen cut short her visit to Scotland in order to return to London for consultation on the Crimean situation. John Linnit was noted for the quality of his jewelled boxes, and was one of the large team of outworkers used by the royal goldsmiths, Garrard & Co. Text from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love.