The Victoria and Albert Museum

After The Tower Bridge, we made our way to The Victoria and Albert Museum. We only had about an hour and a half to enjoy the museum before it closed for the day. Max decided to stay downstairs and look at sculpture while I headed upstairs to check out the Jewellery Room. Ancient and antique jewelry has such an interesting story to tell. The craftsmanship, design, and intimate nature of jewelry all come together to form stunning pieces of adornment full of meaning. The whole museum was a delight to visit and I would definitely love to come back and explore even more.

Bust of Henry VII by Pietro Torrigiani, 1509 - 1511.

This painted terracotta bust was made by the same man who would go on to make the tomb for Henry VII and his wife Elizabeth of York that still sits in Westminster Abbey.

Morion, Paris (probably), made circa 1600, redecorated about 1860.

Casket, Germany, 1570 -1600.

This beautifully etched box was likely exchanged between romantic partners and features the images of a man and woman in contemporary dress for the time period in which it was made.

Cooper’s Knife, Germany, 1702.

The  description reads: “This well-used barrel maker’s knife is etched with a depiction of men breaking open a barrel of beer and verses praising apprentices. The knife may have been a wedding gift or a gift for an apprentice.”

Morion, Italy, 1580.

A large room full of massive stone sculptures.

Necklace and earrings made with peridot and diamonds, Western Europe, 1800 - 1900.

As soon as I entered the Jewellery Room, I saw this breathtaking set. What made this set so unique was that it is made with peridots. These lime green stones aren’t as popular as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, so they are not normally featured in extravagant jewelry. Being born in August, peridot is my birthstone. I love this gem and it was fun to see it set in such a lavish way. Even more interesting was that the stones in the necklace are all cut in different shapes.

Necklace with a cylinder seal pendant, Greek, about 300 BC. 

This charming necklace features a carving of a female figure with a bird.

Two snake armlets, Probably Egypt (Roman Empire), 1-100 AD.

Sword locket, Spain (Nasrid Sultanate), about 1350 - 1492.

The Canning Jewel (a merman), Western Europe, 1800’s.

This opulent jewel was likely designed around the shape of pearl that makes up the torso of the figure. The craftsmanship and creativity of the designer are stunning.

Left: The Penruddocke Jewel, England, 1660 - 1680.
Right: The Helyar Jewel, England, 1650 - 1670.

These two jewels were displayed with a mirror to show the details on the backs of the pieces. The Penruddocke Pendant features a sapphire surrounded by rubies and diamonds with a pearl pendant. The inscription on the back, which was added later, indicates the jewel was a gift from Catherine Parr (last wife of Henry VIII) to George and Anne Penruddocke. The Helyar Jewel, features an emerald and a pearl pendant. The back has a portrait of Charles I.

The Londonderry Jewels, England, 1800 - 1900’s.

Emerald and diamond tiara, England, about 1890.

Diamond tiara, England, made by E. Wolfe and Co., about 1880. 

This tiara featured roses mounted with springs that made the flowers shiver with the movement of the wearer. The flowers could also be detached and worn as brooches, a pair of earrings, or a bracelet.

Pearl and diamond brooch, Russia, about 1760.

An excerpt from the description reads: “ This early jewel would have been created under Empress Elizabeth or Catherine the Great.”

Magpie necklace, England, made by Charlotte De Syllas, 1988.

This more modern piece was also brilliantly crafted. The artist made the feathers out of labradorite, a stone with flashes of color that resembles the natural iridescence of  Magpie feathers.

Gold collar, Ireland, 800 - 700 BC.

A glimpse of the room, with two levels and absolutely full of incredible pieces.

Small sword and scabbard, England, about 1757.

Portrait of Queen Victoria, Unknown artist after Franz Xaver Winterhalter, about 1857 - 1861.

 

This lavish painting of the young Queen Victoria was a replica painted after the 1842 original. She was at the beginning of what would be a long reign wearing the sapphire and diamond coronet designed for her by her husband, Prince Albert.

Sunlight shining through panels of stained glass.

The John Madejski Garden.

Maternal Affection, by Edward Hodges Baily, 1837.

We stayed in The Victoria and Albert Museum until they closed. It was right next to The Natural History Museum, which was definitely something we wanted to explore as well. Unfortunately they closed at the same time so we will have to save it for another visit. It was still a lovely building to see.

Our delicious dinner at Little India.

Some of the beautiful architecture of London as we walked towards Kensington Gardens.

Enjoying a little time in the park.

Kensington Palace.