Brooch thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch

ca. 1858 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This pendant was bought in Rome in 1858 by Henry Cole, the first Director of the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria & Albert Museum. He may have acquired it from Castellani, the most prestigious of the jewellers in Rome.

Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bloodstone with gold
Brief description
Bloodstone and gold pendant in the shape of a scarab, probably made by Castellani of Rome, Italy, about 1858
Physical description
Gold, in the form of a bar or cartouche with the inscription VALATE. At the ends are inserted two ancient silver coins, a scabaeus in bloodstone pendant in the centre.
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.4cm
  • Width: 1.6cm
  • Depth: 1.2cm
Style
Object history
Probably made by Castellani of Rome. Purchased in Rome in 1858 by Henry Cole, the first Director of the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This pendant was bought in Rome in 1858 by Henry Cole, the first Director of the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria & Albert Museum. He may have acquired it from Castellani, the most prestigious of the jewellers in Rome.

Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings.
Collection
Accession number
5996-1859

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Record createdAugust 30, 2005
Record URL
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