Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Egypt (made) -
Subject
Jewellery Africa Metalwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Length: 4.5cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
1502A-1873
Record ID
1502A-1873
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
Notes
The 1851 Great Exhibition inspired a series of âLondon International Exhibitionsâ which took place in South Kensington in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. Fine arts and scientific inventions and discoveries remained central display themes but each exhibition presented different aspects of manufacture. In 1872 one emphasis was on jewellery, including âpeasant jewelleryâ. The Exhibition Commissioners arranged with the then South Kensington Museum (later V&A) to make a collection of peasant jewellery from âall parts of the world, which should become public property, for exhibition in the Museum after the close of the Exhibitionâ. A letter was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to British representatives overseas asking for their help in securing pieces of jewellery, particularly examples with âa direct connection with the native instinctive art, which has been handed down by a long traditionâ. The outcome was considered to be âmost satisfactory ⦠a collection of characteristic ornaments never before equalled was obtainedâ. This earring, originally one of a pair, is part of this collection. Its hollow pendant with three vertical bars is characteristic of Egypt. In more recent times the use of this pattern was only found among the women of the remote western oases, such as Bahariya, but it is quite credible that they were worn over a wider area in the 19th century.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Gilt metal with repousse decoration Gilt Incising
Fiziksel açıklama
Pendant earring made from a ring of wire with one end bent back to form a loop for the pendant. The pendant consists of a hollow palmette, like a lotus flower, decorated with a central band of repousse beading, three lines wide, which runs down the front of the pendant from the top to the bottom and then up the back to the top again.
