Earring
1850-1872 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The 1851 Great Exhibition inspired a series of 'London International Exhibitions' which took place in South Kensington in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. Fine arts and scientific inventions and discoveries remained central display themes but each exhibition presented different aspects of manufacture. In 1872 one emphasis was on jewellery, including 'peasant jewellery'. The Exhibition Commissioners arranged with the South Kensington Museum (later V&A) to make a collection of peasant jewellery from 'all parts of the world, which should become public property, for exhibition in the Museum after the close of the Exhibition'. A letter was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to British representatives overseas asking for their help in securing pieces of jewellery, particularly examples with 'a direct connection with the native instinctive art, which has been handed down by a long tradition'. The outcome was considered to be 'most satisfactory … a collection of characteristic ornaments never before equalled was obtained'.
This pair of earrings is part of this collection. The earrings were made in Egypt and are formed of brass wire and glass beads.
This pair of earrings is part of this collection. The earrings were made in Egypt and are formed of brass wire and glass beads.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Brass wire with tubular red glass beads |
Brief description | Pair of brass earrings with six tubular red glass pendants, Egypt, 1850-1872. |
Physical description | Pendent earring made from a ring of wire with one end twisted to form a row of six loops at the bottom of the ring. Each loop holds a pendant of a red tubular glass bead strung on a length of wire. |
Object history | Acquired by the Exhibition Commissioners of the London International Exhibition of 1872 as an example of 'peasant jewellery' and then transferred to the South Kensington Museum. |
Summary | The 1851 Great Exhibition inspired a series of 'London International Exhibitions' which took place in South Kensington in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. Fine arts and scientific inventions and discoveries remained central display themes but each exhibition presented different aspects of manufacture. In 1872 one emphasis was on jewellery, including 'peasant jewellery'. The Exhibition Commissioners arranged with the South Kensington Museum (later V&A) to make a collection of peasant jewellery from 'all parts of the world, which should become public property, for exhibition in the Museum after the close of the Exhibition'. A letter was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to British representatives overseas asking for their help in securing pieces of jewellery, particularly examples with 'a direct connection with the native instinctive art, which has been handed down by a long tradition'. The outcome was considered to be 'most satisfactory … a collection of characteristic ornaments never before equalled was obtained'. This pair of earrings is part of this collection. The earrings were made in Egypt and are formed of brass wire and glass beads. |
Bibliographic reference | List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum, acquired during the year 1873, London: George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1503&A-1873 |
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Record created | March 28, 2003 |
Record URL |
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