This rare and exquisite memorial tie pin was commissioned by Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901) on the death of John Brown (1826 – 1883). The Queen gifted it to Brown’s relations. The Queen had a close relationship with Brown, her favourite servant. After the death of her husband in 1861, the monarch turned to Brown, her trusted Highland ghillie, and it was even rumoured that they were romantically involved, although there is no evidence to support this. The statues and private memorials that Victoria had created for Brown during her life time were destroyed in the early 20th century at the order of her son, Edward VII (1841 – 1910), with whom Brown had often clashed because he resented Brown’s influence.