Jewel
ca.1450-1500 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Flower shaped jewels, which allowed a prized gemstone to be effectively set off at their centre, appear to have been popular amongst the nobility of Europe in the 15th Century, although few survive. The prominent loops on this one suggest that it was likely to have been sewn onto a garment, or it may possibly have been one element of a jewelled collar. The white enamelled gold beads were intended to resemble pearls and are similar to ones on a jewel in the Fishpool Hoard, ca 1464, now in the British Museum.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Gold, spinel, enamel |
Brief description | Gold and enamel jewel set with spinel, found at Utterby, Lincolnshire, ca. 1450-1500 |
Physical description | Gold jewel cast in the shape of a stylized flower, inset with a prominent stippled central motif mounted on a post, with four claws which hold a large oval spinel of pinky-purple colour. This is encircled by gold beads on stalks, enamelled in white. Two loops are soldered onto the flower, one on each side. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | Unmarked |
Credit line | Purchased through the generosity of Genevieve Davies |
Object history | Found by a metal detectorist in Utterby, Lincolnshire in 2009 and declared Treasure. Purchased via the Treasure Act 1996. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Flower shaped jewels, which allowed a prized gemstone to be effectively set off at their centre, appear to have been popular amongst the nobility of Europe in the 15th Century, although few survive. The prominent loops on this one suggest that it was likely to have been sewn onto a garment, or it may possibly have been one element of a jewelled collar. The white enamelled gold beads were intended to resemble pearls and are similar to ones on a jewel in the Fishpool Hoard, ca 1464, now in the British Museum. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | M.16-2010 |
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Record created | September 14, 2010 |
Record URL |
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