Headband thumbnail 1
Headband thumbnail 2
+2
images

Headband

1848 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The English architect A.W.N. Pugin designed only a small amount of jewellery. This headband is part of a larger parure (set) of jewels in the Gothic style. It is inspired by medieval ecclesiastical decoration and bears the inscription 'CHRISTI CRUX EST MEA LUX' (Christ's cross is my [guiding] light). Pugin designed it for the lady he proposed to make his third wife. The marriage did not take place. In 1848, he met and married Jane Knill and gave her the parure. In 1851 the complete parure was shown at the Great Exhibition in London as part of the Medieval Court.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Enamelled gold, set with a ruby, brilliant-cut diamonds, turquoises and pearls
Brief description
Headband, enamelled gold set with a ruby, diamonds, turquoises and pearls, designed by A. W. N. Pugin and made by John Hardman & Co., England (Birmingham), 1848
Physical description
Headband, enamelled gold set with a ruby, brilliant-cut diamonds, turquoises and pearls, and inscribed 'CHRISTI CRUX EST MEA LUX' (Christ's cross is my [guiding] light).
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.1cm
  • Length: 15.5cm
  • Depth: 0.5cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
'CHRISTI CRUX EST MEA LUX' (inscribed)
Translation
Christ's cross is my [guiding] light
Object history
Inscribed 'CHRISTI CRUX EST MEA LUX' (Christ's cross is my [guiding] light). Designed by A.W.N. Pugin (1812 - 1852) as part of a gothic parure for the lady whom he proposed to make his third wife. Jilted in 1848, he met and married Jane Knill in the same year, giving her the parure. Made by John Hardman & Company. The complete parure was shown at the great Exhibition of 1851. The Museum owns three items from it (including M.20-1962).
Summary
The English architect A.W.N. Pugin designed only a small amount of jewellery. This headband is part of a larger parure (set) of jewels in the Gothic style. It is inspired by medieval ecclesiastical decoration and bears the inscription 'CHRISTI CRUX EST MEA LUX' (Christ's cross is my [guiding] light). Pugin designed it for the lady he proposed to make his third wife. The marriage did not take place. In 1848, he met and married Jane Knill and gave her the parure. In 1851 the complete parure was shown at the Great Exhibition in London as part of the Medieval Court.
Associated object
M.20-1962 (Set)
Collection
Accession number
M.10-1962

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 17, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest