Jewel thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Jewel

1770-1780 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This flower shaped jewel set with chrysoberyls was once in the collection of Cecil Crofton. Cecil Frederick Crofton was born Frederick William Martin on 10 November 1859 in Birmingham. After a brief career as an architect, he changed direction and became a professional actor. He was most active between 1882 and 1896 and may have changed his name during this period. He was an energetic collector of textiles, silver, furniture and art, in particular the works of Simeon Solomon.

From 1913, Cecil F. Crofton made a series of generous gifts to the V&A, including silver, works on paper, jewellery and textiles. Writing to the Director in November 1918, he explained his pleasure in making the gifts as he felt firstly, that it 'places in safety a few of my dearest possessions' but also that he felt himself to be 'under a debt of gratitude to the Museum... I have used it as a rest cure & often when I have felt tired of the struggle & squalor of our modern life, I have found refreshment in your treasure house'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Chrysoberyls in silver
Brief description
Jewel of chrysoberyls set in silver openwork with a flower spray in the centre, probably made in Portugal, 1770-80
Physical description
Jewel of chrysoberyls set in silver openwork with a flower spray in the centre. Made as a brooch or hair pin
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.7cm
  • Width: 3.3cm
  • Depth: 0.9cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mr Cecil Crofton
Subjects depicted
Summary
This flower shaped jewel set with chrysoberyls was once in the collection of Cecil Crofton. Cecil Frederick Crofton was born Frederick William Martin on 10 November 1859 in Birmingham. After a brief career as an architect, he changed direction and became a professional actor. He was most active between 1882 and 1896 and may have changed his name during this period. He was an energetic collector of textiles, silver, furniture and art, in particular the works of Simeon Solomon.

From 1913, Cecil F. Crofton made a series of generous gifts to the V&A, including silver, works on paper, jewellery and textiles. Writing to the Director in November 1918, he explained his pleasure in making the gifts as he felt firstly, that it 'places in safety a few of my dearest possessions' but also that he felt himself to be 'under a debt of gratitude to the Museum... I have used it as a rest cure & often when I have felt tired of the struggle & squalor of our modern life, I have found refreshment in your treasure house'.
Collection
Accession number
M.5-1936

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Record createdJuly 1, 2005
Record URL
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