The John Hansard Gallery (Winchester) Installation 2013
EVERY STONE TELLS A STORY
In 1907, the largest diamond in the world was found at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa. It was bought by the Transvaal government and given to King Edward VII for his birthday. It was cut in Amsterdam into nine pieces. The two biggest form part of the crown jewels. The Large Star of Africa is on the sceptre and the Lesser Star is on the crown.
The Second Boer War ended with English victory in 1905. Why did the defeated Afrikaners present their enemy with this extravagant offering?
The Boer Republics became self governing colonies and the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910
In 1913 the Natives Land Act was passed by the Boers, disenfranchising black South Africans of land ownership. This was not opposed by the English.
Risk Actor: 5 Acts 2013
Actor and archival photographic stills projected through
perspex rod