Alfred jewel
A representation of the famous Alfred jewel ( the Ashmolean museum).
It seems to have been one of the precious 'æstels' or staffs that Alfred is recorded as having sent to each bishopric along with a copy of his translation of pope Gregory the great's book on Pastoral care, saying in his preface to the book: "And I will send a copy to every bishop's see in my kingdom, and in each book there is an aestel of 50 mancusses and I command, in God's name, that no man take the staff from the book, nor the book from the church"
The jewel is made from gilded brass with a perspex panel (to simulate quartz) covering the resin enamelled face. The frame is pierced out with the inscription form the inscription: "AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN", meaning 'Alfred ordered me made'. and the backplate is fully engraved with a foiliate pattern. The jewel is fitted with a bone pointer, but can also be made as a drop pendant, with the animal face at the top.
Jewel measures 5cm and the pointer 4cm.