Stud, Portugal, 1860-1870
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1860-1870
Stud in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 1082-1873), made in Portugal, dated 1860-1870, attributed to unknown. The museum's brief description reads: Small gold stud with filigree decoration on front, Portugal, 1860-1870.. Museum description: Gold stud with a slightly curved circular face joined to a smaller plain disc at the back by a short stiff tube. The face is covered by applied coil rings and bands of coiled wire. The museum records it as Gold filigree, measuring Diameter 19 mm; Depth 11 mm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
European filigree work was highly esteemed in Britain in the 19th century, when it was considered typical of ‘peasant’ jewellery. In 1872, Henry Cole, the Director of the South Kensington Museum as the V&A was then called, asked British embassies around the world to collect examples of traditional jewellery from the countries where they were situated for an International Exhibition in London. This little stud was one of the pieces provided. Although it was acquired as an example of traditional Portuguese peasant jewellery, it is more typical of the kind of work which was produced (and is still being made) as souvenirs for visitors. It cost ten shillings when it was acquired for the International Exhibition, London, in 1872.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter 19 mm; Depth 11 mm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gold filigree
- Maker recorded
- unknown
- Place recorded
- Portugal
Identification
- Museum object name
- Stud
- Museum object number
- 1082-1873
- Museum system number
- O376180
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.