Review of The Cheapside Hoard ‘London’s Lost Jewels’

I would highly recommend an exciting visit to view the mysteries of the Cheapside Hoard at the Museum of London on London Wall. Lying undiscovered for 300 years  ‘London’s lost jewels’ were recovered in 1912 on  London’s Cheapside deep beneath a cellar. Cheapside contained many goldsmiths at the time selling silver plate, gold and jewellery, and The Hoard forms the largest collection worldwide of beautiful Elizabethan and Stuart jewellery from the 16th and 17th Century.

For the first time since 1912 the whole collection of 500 pieces is exhibited together giving a unique insight into the  incredible abilities of the craftsmanship available in Jacobean London where the Old and New Worlds intertwined. Wonderful enamelled peapod long chains worn to the waist set with extraordinarily beautiful gemstones incorporating Colombian emeralds, Sri Lankan sapphires, Indian rubies and diamonds with Middle Eastern pearls amongst Hungarian opals. The pearl cage pendants are  suspended in mid air behind vitrines to entice you to examine the interior of each one.

Beautifully carved in the shape of grapevines there are amethyst and emerald pendants which appear to float behind the glass. The pearl cage pendants are suspended in mid air behind vitrines to entice you to examine the interior of each one. A scent reminiscent of the time lies behind a door which I could open to inhale the potent musk  fragrance. A frog purse in fine silk and metal thread sits alongside gloves and a blackwork bodice and skirt (black silk embroidery on white fabric amongst other fashions of the day.


My favourite examples in the Hoard are a fabulous Colombian emerald and Indian diamond salamander brooch from the 1600s and a unique hexagonal watch formed from one hexagonal natural emerald crystal! I marvelled at an exquisite gold and enamel scent bottle smothered in opals, diamonds, rubies and pink sapphires. Also I came upon an uncut agate cameo of Queen Elizabeth I apparently one of only fifty surviving examples. I admired a sensational gold and enamel pendant comprising two sapphires and a spinel drop from the period and I stood amazed by the 16th and 17th Century dress depicted in the Elizabethan and Jacobean portraits illustrating the phenomenal jewellery worn at the time. The quality of craftsmanship produced due to global exploration was incredible!

 

 The untold secrets of the Mystery of the Cheapside Hoard remain. There was civil war and unrest so we will never know the true owner . The secrets lie forever hidden as to who owned the Cheapside Hoard so go and see it for yourself to unfold the mystery!

The Exhibition is open until 27th April 2014 at The Museum of London.

Written by Gemma Darlington FGA, Jewellery specialist and gemmologist of Gem’s Fine Jewels
www.gemsfinejewels.co.uk