Object of the month for March 2009

Diamond and cabochon emerald brooch from the “Cheapside Hoard” 1560 – 1630

This gold enamelled backed brooch in the form of a salamander caused a sensation when first displayed at the “London Museum” in 1914 (now part of Museum of London).

It formed part of a display with other precious objects, jewellery and gems uncovered in 1912 by builders in Cheapside in the City not far from today’s museum. The treasure is now celebrated as the “Cheapside Hoard”.

As our senior curator of post-medieval history, Hazel Forsyth elaborates, “the Cheapside Hoard is the largest cache of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery in the world and one of the most remarkable finds ever recovered from British soil”.

As yet, we do not know why the hoard was buried. Theories include the outbreak of civil war in England, the Great Fire of London of 1666, plague or that it is the buried swag of a crafty burglar.

The emeralds in the brooch are from Columbia, the diamonds from India, reflecting London’s global trade and prosperity in the early modern period.

Come and experience highlights from the hoard yourself in our “Early Stuart” Gallery and marvel at the craftsmanship and beauty of these precious objects for a limited time in advance of major exhibition scheduled to open in 2012.