IRISH ANTIQUITY; NON-IRISH ANTIQUITY : GIRONA FINDS

Object Name

Pendant or earring

Description

A Virgin and Child with rayed border mounted within a secondary flat ring bearing an inscription. The reverse of the group is set with an amethyst surrounded by four emeralds on the ring.

An enamelled gold earring of the Madonna and Child which has been placed in a later gold setting and embellished with an octagonal amethyst and four emeralds with a pendant pearl. The Madonna and Child is bordered by an inscription, The first gift to Mary which refers to the 16th century ancestress of the previous owner of the jewel. The inscription reads:

When Spanneshe fleet fled home for feare
This golden picktur ther was found
Fast Fixed unto Spanniards eare
Whoo drowned laye on Irish ground Anno 1588

Place Collected

Catalogue Number

BELUM.A1.1990

Copyright

National Museums NI

National Museums NI holds over a million objects in the collection, as well as this we manage the records and associated images for each object through a working database. The national collection has been almost 200 years in the making, and we recognise that thinking about collecting and collections has evolved over this time and continues to evolve. As a result, some of our records may contain language and views that we now consider offensive and unacceptable, for example, reflecting racist attitudes. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to reviewing and updating our records accordingly. Working with researchers, communities and academic partners we are learning more about the stories behind objects, and we are committed to sharing these with our audiences. We welcome feedback. Please email [email protected]