coin pendant;
coin
- Museum number
- 1978,1002.424
- Description
-
Pendant in gold set with a Roman silver didrachm of Neapolis showing the head of Parthenope. The border and wide suspension loop are set with white micromosaic glass decoration in oval twisted wire loops, each divided by single bead. A row of white glass tesserae ornaments the projecting lug below, which has an applied wire loop in centre and is flanked by beading, as is the suspension loop, which also has central row of graded beading. A circular aperture in the centre of the back shows the reverse of the coin. Below is an applied trade label.
- Production date
-
1860 (circa)
-
330BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 6.40 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Text from catalogue of the Hull Grundy Gift (Gere et al 1984) no 376:
The broad suspension loop recalls the form of the ancient bulla, an ornament that spans the Etruscan, Greek and Roman periods, and usually consisted of a hollow convex gold disc worn round the neck as a charm especially by young boys. For reference to a portrait depicting the wearing of a heavy pendant in the 'archaeolgical style' which appears to be set with a coin and for more about coin-set jewellery see Gere et al 1984 (vol. 1, pp 58-9 and vol. 1, pp 140-2 and vol. 2, Fig. 64a, plates, p.241). (Charlotte Gere)
Fig. 64a, plates p. 241 shows a portrait by Kate Carr of Mrs George Henry Boughton, dated 1877, (Private Collection). Mrs Boughton was encouraged by her husband to wear dresses inspired by historic costume. She wears a pendant on a length of silk, and earrings set with Roman coins (see also cat. no. 377). This picture was shown at the Grosvenor Gallery, a milieu frequented by London’s artistic circles. (Charlotte Gere)
See also C. Gere & J. Rudoe, 'Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria: A Mirror to the World', London, British Museum, 2010, fig. 409 p.421. Caption: ‘Two micromosaic jewels by Ernesto Pierret (1824–70). . . . Roman coins such as this, a silver didrachm of Naples of about 330 BC, were common. Micromosaic is used here simply as border decoration instead of enamel.’ (Charlotte Gere)
- Location
- On display (G47/dc11)
- Acquisition notes
- N. Bloom & Son, 40 Albemarle Street, London W1. Original invoice for £375 to Anne Hull Grundy dated 27.3.1973, described as Victorian gold and mosaic pendant with coin, Pierrret c.1860'.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1978,1002.424
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: HG.424 (masterlist number)