At the Museum of London the - "Cheapside Hoard"

A hidden box of treasure.  Buried treasure from the 17th century, hidden for 300 years and discovered, quite by chance, by workmen demolishing buildings in the summer of 1912.  A massive chest of jewellery, precious gemstones, an exquisite perfume bottle and an emerald watch, carved gem figures, chains, clasps, bodkins, buttons, badges and cameos.

The workmen took their find to an antique dealer, a museum librarian,  George F. Lawrence, who cleaned the contents of the chest and, realising the importance of the discovery, took it to the newly opened London Museum. After much discussion with the Museum's directors, Lawrence was appointed as an inspector of evacuations for the London Museum.

The treasure was officially made the property of the London Museum with a small selection given to the British Museum.  Two year's later, in 1914, the treasure was exhibited at the Museum and visited by King George V and Queen Mary.  With the exhibition, came intense speculation and discussion about the very  nature of treasure ownership by press, academics and other museums, but the decision by the Treasury (on behalf of the Crown) stood, and the London Museum kept ownership of the jewels and jewellery.

In 1976, the treasure removed to a site very close to where it was originally located, with the newly renamed Museum of London.

And now, once more, the full collection of those hidden jewels, is on display at the Museum of London.  A wonderful exhibition, utilising all the very latest display and examination process, is now running until the 27th April 2014, and I, for one, will certainly be making another visit to this gorgeous and, historically significant collection, for its stunning beauty and contemporary appeal.

There is even a replica, buyable, collection of 19 pieces on display in the Museum's shop which I'm going to be inspecting on my next visit...can't wait!!!

The dear SO is terribly jealous of my visit which happened, quite unexpectedly, on a recent London visit to an art gallery, with me hoping to see a friend's drawing.  I love visiting London but he, unfortunately, does not. I shall just have to drag him here if he's ever going to see the "Cheapside Hoard for himself!!!

NB  Some information for my blog came from an article in an October dated issue Weekend Telegraph Magazine "Mystery of The Cheapside Hoard" by Vivienne Becker.

What more will I have to report in a future blog???

Daisy