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 an acrylic 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.