The Ampulla and Anointing Spoon, from the Coronation Regalia and Crown Jewels of the United...

The anointing ceremony is considered the most solemn and sacred part of the coronation service and consecrates the new sovereign for her or his new duties; a canopy is held over the monarch and photography is not permitted; last used for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the ampulla and spoon are the oldest objects in the Coronation Regalia; the ampulla is a vessel in the shape of an eagle containing the holy oil used to anoint the sovereign on head, breast and hands; thought to have been made in 14th century and first used at the coronation of Henry IV in 1399; spoon dated to 13th century; both objects escaped destruction by Oliver Cromwell in 1650 in his determination to eradicate all symbols of royalty and kingship; illustration from the series of Godfrey Phillips cigarette cards produced for the Coronation of George VI;