Tuesday 29 April 2014

The Cheapside Hoard

A couple of weeks ago my Mum and I took a trip to an exhibition in London. It was the final weeks for one being held at the Museum of London in the Barbican called " The Cheapside Hoard, London's lost jewels" It  showed the world's largest and most exquisite hoard of Elizabethan and early Stuart jewellery. This hoard was found hidden in a cellar floor in London's Cheapside where it had remained for 300 years.
It was discovered by workmen in 1912 and has never been shown until now in it's entirety. The collection is of over 500 pieces and includes a stunning brooch in the form of a salamander as well as cameos, pearls, enameling on necklaces and bracelets, opals and many other precious jewels.

Barbican is a very interesting area and is home to some iconic buildings including the Barbican Estate built in the 1960s.






I love how in London modern building coexist in total harmony with the old world too
I have never visited the Museum of London before, it is a really great place for day out, with some great exhibitions. 

Sadly photography was not allowed inside the  Cheapside Hoard exhibition but this is the flyer featuring a couple of the extraordinary pieces  on show.

One of my favourite pieces was this clock made out of 2 enormous pieces of emerald...it must be priceless.
In the other exhibition areas of the museum  however photography was freely allowed (with no flash). I decided to visit a couple of other parts of the museum later in the day after my Mum and I had enjoyed lunch in the on site cafe.
 This is the Lord Mayor's coach which is still used every year at the Lord Mayor's Show


and there was a great "Through the ages" permanent exhibition showing London from the earliest pre Roman times up until the present day.
Do you remember Woolworth's?

and Biba ...( I have just bought a Biba dress as House of Frazer sell a line of Biba clothing.) I can remember visiting the original Biba Shop in London in the 1970s with my best friend Karen. I had lots of the iconic 
round pots of nail polish in blue, black, green and even yellow. 

Other than the temporary exhibitions the Museum of London has free admission..quite a rare find in the capital. Sadly the Cheapside Hoard exhibition has now finished but if you ever get the chance to see it anywhere else do....it really blew me away.
 No one knows who hid the hoard or who owned it but I am so glad that it made the light of day again.
My card for today features some sacking (burlap) and I like to think of this hoard of jewellery being buried 300 years ago wrapped in sacking.......;0)
It features one of my LOTV pretty vintage sentiment stamps which I have gold embossed. The panel I have stamped it on was made with distress inks and the music script stamp is again from the LOTV pretty vintage range.  I distressed the edges to give a worn look and attached a small charm from my jewellery stash. 

Here are a couple of close ups;

I have put my card up for sale in my Etsy shop..here

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Lili of the Valley 10th Birthday card challenge
The artistic stamper embossing and texture
Bunny Zoe Distress
Crafty Catz anything goes
Vintage Stamping anything goes
Dream Valley say it with words
Pile it On rubber stamping
Whimsy Stamps anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Clean and simple
4 Crafty Chicks embossing

It's the end of the month tomorrow, how quickly has April flown by? Have a great week everyone and here in the UK we are looking forward to the May Day bank holiday next Monday, enjoy.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

18 comments:

  1. WOW.. what a wonderful story of the jewels! You are SOOOOO lucky to get to see them! I am amazed that the workmen who found them didn't stick them in their pockets never to be seen again. I wish they knew more of the story of these. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Looks like you had another wonderful day out, Jane, with so many beautiful things to see! I love museums and architecture, not to mention priceless jewels, so this would be right up my street!;)
    Fab sentiment card which could be suitable for both male and female - lovely inkiness and the burlap adds such texture! Hugs, Lisa x

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  3. What a wonderful place, I can imagine how amazing the exhibition was, you really have to wonder why it was hidden!!!
    Love the Lord Mayors coach, so grand. :)
    Brilliant card as always!!!
    I know it's hard to believe we are at the end of April already, one third of the year gone...slow down time...please!!!
    Enjoy the rest of your week,
    V xxx

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  4. FANTASTIC card, and what a WONDERFUL trip and photos! I enjoyed seeing them and reading about the jewels!
    Thank You for joining us at PIO this week!!
    Have a GREAT day!

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  5. Well I never. I never knew there was an actually Thanet House. Both my children were born in the Isle of Thanet, Kent: we lived in Minster just outside of Canterbury and they were born in Margate, I even got married in Ramsgate. I have learnt something new today. I had heard about the Cheapside Hoard, shame you couldn't take photos I was looking forward to those, but amazing pictures from the flier nonetheless. Wonder who did own or hide all those fabulous pieces?

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  6. A wonderful post, so interesting and your photos are great. I love London and it's colourful history!
    I went to the Biba shop too all those years ago......I still love their logo now, it brings back happy memories!
    Wishing you a happy and sunny week, Jane.
    Helen xox

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  7. Great card, and I also went shopping in Biba many many times! Still have an iconic top from there with puffy sleeves! lol
    Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Creative Challenge this month :)

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  8. Hi Jane, So many interesting exhibits to see in London. Love the hidden treasure story and seeing the old and new buildings mixed together in London. So wonderful you could see all this with your mum. I don't know Biba's but I do know Woolworth's! Thanks Jane for sharing all this history with us. Lovely card!
    xoRobin

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  9. Hello Jane,

    That exhibition must have been fantastic, and I can see how you, as a jewelry-maker yourself must enjoyed it! And that story of those beauties being hidden by someone for that long time and now they're out again to us to see - fascinating! And your card sums it all up beautifully again!

    Have a lovely start for your May, dear friend, we're having that bank holiday here tomorrow!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  10. Amazing jewelry finds. Interesting story. We always enjoyed seeing the crown jewels, etc, a couple times in London. Interesting times back in the day! Now all we get is stuff from China. I love the handmade myself when I go to craft shows. I really like your card!

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  11. more fabulous photo's and love the texture added to your card
    hugs Kate x

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  12. love the little charm and sentiment stamp, thank you for joining us at Crafty Catz challenge
    Tilly

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  13. Thank You so much for sharing that fabulous exhibit with us. I had never heard of the jewels before.
    I love your card and the contrast between the rustic burlap and sophisticated gold letters.

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  14. Thank you for joining our 'anything goes' challenge at Crafty Catz and don't forget to come back tomorrow for a brand new theme.
    Hugs,
    Anna xxx

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  15. Great pictures (I especially like the Major coach) and fabulous card! Thanks for playing with us at Dream Valley Challenges! I hope to see you again here next time! Hugs, Cornelia – DT

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  16. Such a wonderful day out with your dear mum, Jane and a fascinating story of the lost jewels...x
    It's lovely to see the Biba items too...so iconic!
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    Susan x

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  17. Looks like a fabulous day out, if the exhibition hadn't of finished, I'd be there like a shot. My cousin owns a flat at the Barbican, it has the original kitchen and bathroom which is kind of cool (I hear many of the flats do). I am hoping, now that my husband is at home a bit, that I can make some time for a few day trips into London, I really miss going to exhibitions and seeing my friends, I feel inspired to find out what's on by your fab post, thank you :) Bethxx

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  18. Hello Jane, I would have sworn I had commented already!! Any way, I 've already mentioned this museum to my nephew. He has a long list of places to visit in London when he will be a visiting student.
    Would have loved to see all those jewels. I'm glad you and your Mum could see them.

    Here's to more days out.....
    Anne and all xx
    PlumCreek

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Jane x