Jewel thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Jewel

ca. 1810-ca. 1820 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This small flower shaped jewel 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

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pastes in silver and coloured gold
Brief description
Jewel in the form of a flower, brilliant-cut pastes set in silver and coloured gold, England, about 1810-20
Physical description
Flower jewel of brilliant-cut pastes set in silver and coloured gold. Perhaps once the head of a pin.
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.3cm
  • Width: 1.5cm
  • Depth: 0.9cm
Credit line
Given by Mr Cecil Crofton
Subject depicted
Summary
This small flower shaped jewel 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.227-1930

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Record createdJuly 26, 2005
Record URL
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