The Gatacre Jewel
Pendant
ca. 1550-1560 (made)
ca. 1550-1560 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This pendant has several alterations.The pearl drops are replacements and the enamelled plate at the back was removed and reinstated upside down at some stage. The cameo is likely to have been made in the Renaissance and the setting around 1550 to 1560, perhaps in England. The jewel belonged to the Gatacre family of Shropshire. It was known as the 'Fair Maid of Gatacre' after Mary (born 1509), daughter of Sir Robert Gatacre. According to family tradition, she was 'a great beauty both in face and character'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Amethyst, mounted in enamelled gold, and hung with pearls |
| Brief description | An amethyst cameo of Medusa, set in an enamelled gold frame hung with three pearls. Probably England, around 1550-60. |
| Physical description | An amethyst cameo of Medusa, set in an enamelled gold frame hung with three pearls. The pearl drops probably a later replacement |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support |
| Object history | Once thought to be a late Roman gem, but in the opinion of Martin Henig (2007) the gem is likely to be roughly contemporary with the setting. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This pendant has several alterations.The pearl drops are replacements and the enamelled plate at the back was removed and reinstated upside down at some stage. The cameo is likely to have been made in the Renaissance and the setting around 1550 to 1560, perhaps in England. The jewel belonged to the Gatacre family of Shropshire. It was known as the 'Fair Maid of Gatacre' after Mary (born 1509), daughter of Sir Robert Gatacre. According to family tradition, she was 'a great beauty both in face and character'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.7-1982 |
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| Record created | December 15, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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