Sometime in the 1600’s, a goldsmith buried a stash of jewellry, possibly as he was heading off to the Civil Wars. It sat for several hundred years, until 1912, when it was discovered by workmen excavating a cellar floor in London’s Cheapside neighbourhood. They sold it to an antiques dealer who was known for paying workmen for the items they unearthed. More than 500 pieces made up the collection, and soon after it was discovered, it was sold off in bits and pieces, mainly to the Museum of London, but to others as well.
One hundred years later, the entire collection has been re-assembled in an exhibition at the Museum of London, where it will be until April of 2014.
Many of the pieces in the exhibition, including these pearl-cage pendants, are suspended in light which approximates the Jacobean and Tudor era candle-light.
I’ve picked some of my favourite pieces from the 400 to share with you. And if/when I am back in London in the spring, you can bet this will surely be on my list.
A deep green reliquary locket
Gilt brass watch with calendar indications, hour striking and an alarm. The watch is signed G. Ferlite of Geneva, which dates its creation somewhere between 1590 and 1635. It is the only signed piece in the collection.
A gold and diamond ring
Bow pendant with rubies
A small hinged pocket watch, undoubtedly the most amazing piece of the Hoard.
And to give you an idea of how small this piece is:
Amazingly, there are three counterfeit pieces in the Hoard made of glass and paste.
More information on the pieces in the Cheapside Hoard is here. And a lovely video is here.
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