Locket
1662 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This commemorative locket was made to celebrate a royal marriage. Popular joy at the return of the Stuarts in 1660 found expression in many lockets and other kinds of jewellery that showed support for Charles II, or commemorated his father, Charles I, who had been executed in 1649.
Historical Associations
Portugal is often described as Britain's oldest ally. Negotiations for a marriage between Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705) and Charles II began in the 1640s during his father's reign, and were resumed after the Restoration in 1660. Portugal needed a counterweight to the might of the Spanish empire, and the dowry offered to Britain with Catherine included Bombay, Tangier, trading privileges in Brazil and two million Portugese crowns, in return for naval and military support. Catherine's freedom to exercise her faith as a Catholic in Britain was guaranteed. She and Charles were married according to both Catholic and Protestant rites on 21 May 1662.
People
Catherine of Braganza was the daughter of John IV of Portugal. She was described in 1663 by the diarist Samuel Pepys as 'mighty pretty', but she was not well educated and appears not to have been influential in politics. Charles continued his relations with his mistresses. None of Catherine's babies was born alive, and she was at times the object of severe anti-Catholic animosity. However, when divorce was proposed in 1679, Charles stood by her. After his death she moved to Somerset House, and established a convent in Hammersmith. Following the accession of William and Mary she returned to Portugal, where she supported a further treaty with England, and became regent in 1704.
This commemorative locket was made to celebrate a royal marriage. Popular joy at the return of the Stuarts in 1660 found expression in many lockets and other kinds of jewellery that showed support for Charles II, or commemorated his father, Charles I, who had been executed in 1649.
Historical Associations
Portugal is often described as Britain's oldest ally. Negotiations for a marriage between Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705) and Charles II began in the 1640s during his father's reign, and were resumed after the Restoration in 1660. Portugal needed a counterweight to the might of the Spanish empire, and the dowry offered to Britain with Catherine included Bombay, Tangier, trading privileges in Brazil and two million Portugese crowns, in return for naval and military support. Catherine's freedom to exercise her faith as a Catholic in Britain was guaranteed. She and Charles were married according to both Catholic and Protestant rites on 21 May 1662.
People
Catherine of Braganza was the daughter of John IV of Portugal. She was described in 1663 by the diarist Samuel Pepys as 'mighty pretty', but she was not well educated and appears not to have been influential in politics. Charles continued his relations with his mistresses. None of Catherine's babies was born alive, and she was at times the object of severe anti-Catholic animosity. However, when divorce was proposed in 1679, Charles stood by her. After his death she moved to Somerset House, and established a convent in Hammersmith. Following the accession of William and Mary she returned to Portugal, where she supported a further treaty with England, and became regent in 1704.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | One side of locket stamped with the head of King Charles II with 'CR'; the other stamped with the head of the Queen, Catherine of Braganza (born in Almentejo province, Portugal, 1638, and died in Portugal, 1705) |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This locket commemorates the wedding in 1662 of Charles II (1630-1685) and Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705), the daughter of the King of Portugal. Bombay (Mumbai), India, a Portuguese possession, was included in her dowry. This event was very popular with English merchants who thought the wedding 'the most beneficial that ever our nation was engaged in.'(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Dame Joan Evans |
| Object history | Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This commemorative locket was made to celebrate a royal marriage. Popular joy at the return of the Stuarts in 1660 found expression in many lockets and other kinds of jewellery that showed support for Charles II, or commemorated his father, Charles I, who had been executed in 1649. Historical Associations Portugal is often described as Britain's oldest ally. Negotiations for a marriage between Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705) and Charles II began in the 1640s during his father's reign, and were resumed after the Restoration in 1660. Portugal needed a counterweight to the might of the Spanish empire, and the dowry offered to Britain with Catherine included Bombay, Tangier, trading privileges in Brazil and two million Portugese crowns, in return for naval and military support. Catherine's freedom to exercise her faith as a Catholic in Britain was guaranteed. She and Charles were married according to both Catholic and Protestant rites on 21 May 1662. People Catherine of Braganza was the daughter of John IV of Portugal. She was described in 1663 by the diarist Samuel Pepys as 'mighty pretty', but she was not well educated and appears not to have been influential in politics. Charles continued his relations with his mistresses. None of Catherine's babies was born alive, and she was at times the object of severe anti-Catholic animosity. However, when divorce was proposed in 1679, Charles stood by her. After his death she moved to Somerset House, and established a convent in Hammersmith. Following the accession of William and Mary she returned to Portugal, where she supported a further treaty with England, and became regent in 1704. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.104:1, 2-1962 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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