Medallion, England, 1514-1550
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1514-1550
Medallion, England, 1514-1550 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1514-1550. The museum's brief description reads: Two fragments from a panel of clear, coloured and flashed glass painted with brown/black pigment and silver stain.
Depicting the arms of the Dukes of Norfolk as borne after 1514. Originally from Barham Hall. English, about 1520. Parts of a crown.. Museum description: Medallion from Barham Hall, Suffolk. Arms of the Dukes of Norfolk as borne after 1514. Includes C.400-1915 (Crown) The museum record gives material recorded as Stained glass; measurements Height 51.5 cm; Width 30.2 cm; place associated: England. These details come from the holding 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
Object TypeHeraldry became a common feature of 16th-century glazing programmes. The nobility used spectacular coats of arms to advertise their family and social alliances. Those elected as knights of the prestigious Order of the Garter commemorated the honour by depicting their arms surrounded by the garter device and motto. The Order had been founded in 1348 by Edward III and was the highest order of English knighthood. PlaceThis shield with the garter device was salvaged from Barham Hall in Suffolk, the home of the Southwell family in the 16th century. When the hall was demolished around 1840, this and three other panels were leaded into a window in a new property built on the site.PeopleThe shield depicts the arms of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk (1473-1554) in the top right quarter, alongside those of England, Warren and Fitzalan. Howard was a powerful English nobleman who, like his father, served Henry VIII as a military commander. This is reflected in the family's coat of arms which feature a small shield bearing a lion within a border similar to the arms of Scotland - a device awarded to the 2rd Duke in recognition of his victory over the Scots at the battle of Flodden in 1513. It is not known why the arms of the Norfolk family should be found in a house belonging to the Southwells. AlterationStained-glass panels are vulnerable to damage and often require 'releading', in which the panes are reassembled in new leadwork. This process sometimes gives rise to…
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Stained glass
- Dimensions
- Height 51.5 cm; Width 30.2 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Clear, flashed, stained and coloured glass, painted with enamels
- Place recorded
- England
Identification
- Museum object name
- Medallion
- Museum object number
- C.798-1920
- Museum system number
- O1255921
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 materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.