New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-02
AIRED TIE GREATS JEWEL.
CURIOUS AND INTERESTING RELIC IN THE
AsHMOLEAN MUSEUM. OXFORD.

CURIOUS AND INTERESTING RELIC IN THE
AsHMoLEAN MUSEUM OXFORD.
From The Birmingham Post
Arrangements are being made for producing a
fac-simile of the celebrated Alfred Jewel, which
is deposited in the Ashmolean Museum at OK
ford The jewel is Of priceless value as an ms
toric relic well as a fine specimen OF artistic
metal work OF the Saxon period. Its chief inter-
est however to most Englishmen will be the
fact of its having belonged to one Of the earliest
and greatest makers of England and that It's
identity is absolutely authentic The following
account OF the relic is taken from Garham
History Of ST. NeOts," and gives what is
known of its history and preservation:
This jewel was found 1893, at Newton Park,
some distance north of Athelney Abbey, in Som
ersetshire near the junction OF the Parrot ana
the Thone 1t is now in the Ashmolean
Museum oxford The form of this Jewel IS
battledore shape; the diverse is faced with an
oval plate of rock-crystal ur-tenths of an inch
thick: through this is seen the miniature, formed
Of enameed mosaic. the compartments beng let
into cells of gold. The figure is that of man
holding a heur-de-lys in each hand Ihe reverse
is 4 detached plate OF gold dying Immediately on
the back of the miniature. on which is elegant
" traced eur-de-lys branching into three
stems The edge is bevelled toward the front
and contains the legend: = Aefred Nee He lit
Gewyrcan' that is, "Aelfred me ordered to be
Wrought"l The gem terminates in a grOtesque
figure representing on the diverse the head or
some sea monster. probably (says Dr MusgraVe)
a dolphin: on the reverse the lower jaw is want
ing its place being supplied by scaly, fiat sur
face the mouth Of this animal embraces small
tube traVersed by a gold pin, apparently rlVet'
originally passed through some wooden stem to
which it has peen fixed, and which has
persisted"
Around such an interesting relic of our early
history must necessarily have accumulated
many legends cOnjectures and suggestions. the
purpose to which the jewel has been put mas
been a much debated subject It's appearance
cft,r a 10 "A
or collar but this is out of the question, as in
this position the figure would be upside down.
II has also been supposed that II was used at
the head OF a standard. and that ii was carried
before AIfred's army in his successful battles
with the Danes Other and more probable suS-
gestions that il was the head OF a sceptre or
an ornament the front of helmet or other
head dress both these theories are supported py
the presence of the rivet which still passes
through the hollow mouth Of the dolphin or sea
monster which terminates the Jewel at the mar
row end and which must have been inserted IN
order to fasten ii hrmy To stan or stem Oh
wood or metal
1t has been affirmed by Sir Francis Palgrave
that the mosaic enamel figure is OF greater an
tiquity than the casket IN which II Is set ana
that il was probably presented to KING Alfred
as a valuable relic in his day by Pope Marlnus
or some other potentate. The work OF the mo-
sale with its inlaid gold lines, certainly lndl-
Gates a very early period. and is unlike the
Saxon art in execution. The golden setting is
undoubtedly Saxon work of a very high order.
and indicates much skill in design and execu-
ton
The character Of the enamelled figure has been
much speculated upon. Some color has been
given 10 the theory that II represented st. NeOt
by the fact that St. Neot was known TO be AL
fred's spiritual adviser and to be much veneer
ated by him. and that he continually looked to
him for guidance and protection. Some have
thought that it was intended TO represent st.
Cuthbert and others our Saviour, though there
seems no warrant for this latter suggestion ia
the design or its ornamental surroundings