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Pendant - The Barbor Jewel

The Barbor Jewel

  • Object:

    Pendant

  • Place of origin:

    England (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1615-1625 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Enamelled gold, set with an onyx cameo, rubies and diamonds, and hung with pearls

  • Credit Line:

    Given by Miss M. Blencowe

  • Museum number:

    889-1894

  • Gallery location:

    Jewellery, room 91, case 7, shelf B, box 5

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According to a family tradition, this jewel was made for William Barbor (died 1586). He was a Protestant.The tradition, apparently first recorded in 1724, says that he wanted to commemorate his escape from the stake thanks to the accession of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). However, the style of the enamelling provides a date for the setting of about 1615-1625. The style of the queen's costume suggests that the cameo was not made earlier than about 1600.

Physical description

Pendant of enamelled gold set with an onyx cameo of Queen Elizabeth I and with table-cut rubies and diamonds; hung with a cluster of pearls. An oak tree is enamelled on the back plate.

Place of Origin

England

Date

ca. 1615-1625 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Enamelled gold, set with an onyx cameo, rubies and diamonds, and hung with pearls

Dimensions

Height: 6.0 cm

Object history note

According to a family tradition, apparently first recorded in 1724, the jewel was made for William Barbor (died 1586), to commemorate his delivery from the stake by the death of Queen Mary in 1558. However the cameo does not date from earlier than about 1600, and the pea-pod style ornament used in the enamelling indicates a date for the setting of about 1615-25.

Descriptive line

Pendant of enamelled gold set with an onyx cameo of Queen Elizabeth I and with table-cut rubies and diamonds; hung with a cluster of pearls. An oak tree is enamelled on the back plate. England, cameo about 1590,
mount about 1615–25.

Attribution Note

Date of setting. Cameo could be ca. 1590

Materials

Gold; Diamond; Pearls; Ruby; Onyx

Techniques

Enamelled

Subjects depicted

Crowns (headdresses); Elizabeth I (Queen of England and Wales); Tree, Oak; Monarchy

Categories

Jewellery; Royalty; Sculpture

Collection code

MET

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Qr_O33890
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