Lovers' brooch
Medieval, 13th century
AD
From England
This gold ring brooch is set alternately with
cabochon
rubies and sapphires. The pin is set with a sapphire. The spaces
between the gems are decorated with punched crosses and letters in
Lombardic script. The reverse of the brooch carries an inscription
(in abbreviated French) for the benefit of the wearer,
'io sui ici en liu dami
amo' ('I am here in place of
a friend love'), indicating that the brooch is likely to
have been an expensive love token. Items of jewellery with
sentimental inscriptions were often exchanged between wealthy
lovers in the medieval period.
J. Alexander and P. Binski, Age of chivalry: art in Planta (Royal Academy, London, 1987)
J. Cherry, Medieval decorative art (London, The British Museum Press, 1991)
J. Robinson, Masterpieces: Medieval Art (London, British Museum Press, 2008)
