Yeoman of the Guard in Ceremonial Uniform – William Miller, London, ca.1805
€ 340
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1805
Mapmaker / artist
William Miller, London, c.1805
Technique
Hand-colored etching or aquatint
Sheet size
32.3 × 24 cm (12.7 × 9.4 in)
Reference
BG-13790-1
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good. Light age-toning in the margins and faint spotting, but the image area is clean. The original hand-coloring is bright and well-preserved. Plate mark visible, neatly presented within a wide archival mat.
About this sheet
Yeoman of the Guard in Ceremonial Uniform – William Miller, London, c.1805
This elegant hand-colored print, published by William Miller around 1805, presents a full-length depiction of a Yeoman of the Guard — the oldest royal bodyguard in Britain — wearing the richly ornamented state dress still associated with ceremonial functions today. The figure is shown standing with authority, grasping a tall staff and dressed in the distinctive red and gold Tudor-style tunic, white stockings, and a black bicorne hat with plumes. Behind him, a procession of fellow Yeomen plays trumpets draped with royal banners, evoking the grandeur of a state occasion.
The print exemplifies the early 19th-century interest in royal and military pageantry, particularly during the Regency and Napoleonic periods when national identity and historical continuity were being strongly emphasized through costume, ceremony, and print culture. William Miller was known for publishing finely engraved costume plates, often collaborating with leading artists and engravers of his time. This particular work captures both the pride and symbolism of royal service, with detailed attention to embroidery, heraldic devices, and theatrical composition.
The Yeomen of the Guard were founded by Henry VII in 1485 and continue today in a ceremonial role. Often confused with the Beefeaters of the Tower of London, they remain a powerful icon of British tradition.
Framing tips: Best complemented by a gilt or black frame with a narrow inner border. Use an off-white or light cream mat to enhance the vibrancy of the red and gold uniform.
