How to date an Artefact | Tudor Pendant of Henry VIII & Katherine of Aragon | Curator's Corner S8 E2

How does one go about dating an artefact that was found in a field in England by a metal detectorist? And by dating we’re not talking dinner and a movie with your favourite curb chain…
As part of the Treasure process in the UK, artefacts found by metal detectorists that happen to be of a high percentage precious metal, need to go through a process of identification and classification. Join curator, Rachel King as she investigates the clues found on this spectacular gold pendant to shed some light on when it was made, by whom and for whom.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:00 A Quick Aside - Terminus dates
02:45 Investigating the clues on the front
03:48 The clues on the back
04:39 Dating the materials
05:00 The Gold Standard
06:06 Enamel decoration
07:47 The Tudor Curb chain
09:55 Johann Froben
11:46 Jousting at Greenwich
13:20 Who could afford such an artefact?
Find out everything you need to know about Treasure and The Portable Antiquities Scheme here: www.britishmuseum.org/our-wor...

[@majorlaff8682]

I have a (girl) friend that's been dating an artefact for over forty years now. She found him in a field, asleep. He's been examined by a few experts. They all conclude he's worthless but she still loves him.

[@rockets4kids]

This is the quality content I clicked for

[@dinaboop]

🤣

[@tdswen1]

Good one. I only clicked just to check humorous comments.

[@majorlaff8682]

@@tdswen1 Hope it made ya laugh.

[@RekLara]

@@rockets4kids me too! Only reason I clicked hahahaha

[@ptrinch]

Silly me. I came here hoping to get some romantic advice for my later years.

[@pattykelly6621]

Very good

[@ossicalifornia]

Holy Shit. Very good.

[@festeradams3972]

You weren't the only one...and I am pushing into those "later years". First they get your hopes up, then destroy them in one go :-(

[@jamesduffy5980]

lol you beat me to making a similar joke.

[@platedlizard]

Maybe don’t behead your wives, that could help

[@salaltschul3604]

I love the thought that this was found in a field...and we flash back five hundred odd years to someone going to take off their necklace only to find it missing...Here we are, connected by the losing and finding of this beautiful object. I'm sorry it was lost but I'm so glad it's been found.

[@pallasproserpina4118]

Archaeologists secretly love when people lose things. Even though we've had access to metalworking for millennia, we have relatively few metal artifacts compared to other materials because metal is so often melted down and reused. if this pendant hadn't been lost, it likely wouldn't have survived to today.

[@salaltschul3604]

@@pallasproserpina4118 That makes SO much sense! I love that I now know that. Thanks for sharing :)

[@johnladuke6475]

Considering the less-than-perfect craftsmanship she pointed out, and the price point of the object as a trinket for Henry but a significant purchase for a courtier, I can picture this being an unappreciated gift to the royal couple. Maybe even intentionally "lost" as far from the party as they could throw it.

[@sybilvane645]

I could spend whole days listening to the museum curators. Thank you so much

[@AbigailTheAdvocate]

‘The usual way. Flowers, chocolates, and promises you don’t intend to keep’ -Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast

[@jessicacraig2163]

I know the dating is mid 1510s, but could it have been an object from Henry and Katherine’s visit to Warwick castle in 1511? A lot of hunting going on during that visit. In any case, simply amazing find. Thanks for this!

[@causewaykayak]

That was fascinating. Your expert has a really nice style of presenting her material. Oozes expertise !

[@GOODGRAYCAT]

Agree, and she has a very pleasant voice to listen to, as well, as she presents the materials, methods of study, and explanations.

[@Familylawgroup]

I agree that the expert is top notch. I would love to see more about HOW some of the additional tools and techniques worked (the mechanical steps) and the boundaries of each machine and it’s each useless and Lee xomvrided

[@annetteziegler7944]

My goodness, your Rachel King is wonderful! More from her corner, please! (Liked and subscribed!)

[@hsmd4533]

She is phenomenal!

[@pattheplanter]

The hand emerging from a cloud is a symbol that has been around since at least the 9th century, representing God's hand acting in the world. In this case, showing the supposed approval of God for the marriage of Henry and Katherine. The _Manus Dei_ clearly emerging from a cloud with a crown is seen above the head of Charles the Bald, who is flanked by two popes in an illustration c. 870 in the Bibliothèque nationale de France: manuscript Latin 1141, fol. 2v.

[@user-ks5cg5cd7m]

Interesting. I looked it up. Not quite as fancy looking as this, but really interesting. I would not have known why that hand was just hanging up there. To the unlearned, like me, that hand hovering over Charles the Bald looked strange indeed. I guess in the case of this necklace it represents the hand of God bringing the two houses together in the marriage union. Thanks for the comment.

[@megwilcox2878]

Thank you for this! I was taken aback by the presenter's assertion that the symbol was relatively contemporary with the Tudors, I was sure I had seen it more than once in older items, but couldn't remember where I had seen it.

[@pattheplanter]

@@megwilcox2878 There are less obviously cloud-based hands from back to the time of Constantine the Great of Constantinople.

[@megwilcox2878]

@@pattheplanter It's one of my favourite motifs. Look out! Disembodied hand coming!

[@graziacavasino8884]

Indeed. It's quite strange, to say the least, that at the museum they ignore it.

[@censusgary]

As Ms. Rachel King says, one of the most intriguing questions is, how did this 500-year-old piece of aristocratic jewelry get buried in a farm field in Warwickshire? That’s the kind of puzzle that may never be solved, but if anybody finds out, I’d love to know.

[@HiHoSilvey]

Yes, I wondered about that, too. It would seem to lend credence to the theory that the pendant was not made directly for the king.

[@Lulu-ut9pv]

It could be anything .... Maybe it was stolen and dropped

[@minhthai4915]

I don't find it intriguing whatsoever. A tourney, which Henry was very fond of.

[@angelwings7930]

@@Lulu-ut9pv Exactly. Or just dropped/lost during a royal “progress”.

[@cjcarver6290]

This lovely piece of jewelry was given to the victor of the joust, the Earl of Warwick who had it buried for safekeeping. If you believe that (although plausible!), I gotta bridge...

[@time4clocks]

Amazing what can be found still lying about waiting for discovery!! The detective work in finding out what this piece is all about is exceptional!! 🌷🌷

[@Ulnvtcydr]

It's not really is it. Just tedious scrolling of old texts.

[@time4clocks]

@@Ulnvtcydr I think the educated guess of knowing which texts to look at, and the clues from the object, have the elements of detective work. May just be semantics though. 😸

[@emmidjam2307]

What a beautiful, special object. Imagine finding something like this, in 2019! Makes you wonder how many beautiful treasures there are still left that we haven’t found yet. It’s in such a splendid condition too. Also makes me wonder if I should just quit my job and start looking for special objects like this full time (after proper training of course). Great video. Historians, you are amazing.

[@censusgary]

It’s ironic that this pendant celebrating the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine (Katherine) of Aragon has the motto “Tous Iors” (“always” or “forever”), since that marriage was, famously, annulled.

[@billythedog-309]

Hardly ironic - perhaps unfortunate.

[@stinew358]

Probably why it was in the ground

[@Siansonea]

Perhaps the phrase "quelques jours" would have been more appropriate.

[@sarahmeyernc]

This content is incredible! It’s so fun to discover items alongside the museum. Would love to see more content like this. What a great way to learn history and also feel like we are understanding more about how complicated it is to determine the significance of artifacts. I didn’t realize how complex it could be! Loved this!

[@poesraven4540]

I adore this series. Though I am now out of the business of selling antiques, I hope to never stop learning. Thank you!

[@axelwalter4046]

Beautifully done. You feel the love and interest the curators have for their work. Very inspiring and interesting.

[@AlejandroRubino]

This video is sublime. Loved the thorough explanation!

[@BaZzZaa]

This is utterly fascinating. Really love this!!

[@kenc2257]

How very fascinating--the making and the dating of this lovely object. An excellent and interesting presentation. [Did the detectorist do a "gold dance" when he discovered the piece? What a find.]

[@nerdbot37]

How to date an artifact- sorry, artefact-is fascinating! But while watching Curator Corners with Sue Brunning, and now Rachel King, I can’t help but wonder how to date a curator.

[@kenopsia9013]

That was slick

[@PeterGaunt]

Absolutely fascinating! Thank you.

[@smileyzed3843]

Fantastic video! Wonderful information. Can’t wait for more with this lady. Thankyou!

[@susanwoodcarver]

So did the gentleman who found the object receive any recompense? I feel as if it was a smile, a thank you and a hardy pat on the back for handing over this beautiful gold, expensive necklace.

[@pattheplanter]

Compensation is always paid for finding treasure, if the find was declared properly.

[@tcm81]

He will get half the value of the object, split with the landowner.

[@bngr_bngr]

@@tcm81I would have said I found it in my backyard.

[@IbnBahtuta]

I really enjoyed this upload. Your research really brings out the history in an object. I think your corner is in very safe hands.

[@finnlass2565]

This content is superb. I’m glad to be alive when this can be seen by the world.

[@margo3367]

It’s exquisite. It really takes my breath away.

[@JohnnyBlaze5100]

Beautiful lady, beautiful accent, clear speech, excellent story!

[@artlikebread]

Tremendous explanation of the process!

[@robbabcock_]

Truly fascinating! 🙌🔥👑

[@erepsekahs]

Absolutely extraordinary workmanship.

[@elchapito4580]

Of workpeopleship, surely, you mean! (Hear at about 4:47.) (Lol.)

[@luizarthurbrito]

one of the best channels in all of youtube

[@menthols247]

LOVE THIS!! MORE PLEASE!!

[@deborahdufel1664]

Thank you for sharing this and the video is fun and educational.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@jameslaupan6499]

I love this channel, i always learn stuff. In regards to "dating artifacts, at my age thats all i CAN date, artifacts!

[@465maltbie]

Thank you for sharing this, I am sure someone who wanted to impress the king would have something like that made in the hopes of being seen with it. Charles

[@doncook2054]

Great video!! Thank You for this!

[@johnlomax2502]

Thank you for your good work with this. I will definitely be keeping up with any updates as new information is gleaned concerning this most exquisite, national treasure. 🏵️💎🏵️

[@pigeon51]

Fascinating! So beautiful. I'd love to work in a museum 😊

[@michelehood8837]

That piece is so lovely - what a find!!!

[@johannphysio4977]

Wonderful presentation! Really enjoying all these videos- this one in particular really smacks of a Wes Anderson scene with her posturing, way of speaking and all the books and their colors in the background. Was waiting for Jason Schwartzman to pop his head on the frame and make a comment!

[@TiffanyVictoriaHoran]

I love this video, thanks for sharing!

[@megwilcox2878]

What an exciting discovery! Thanks for presenting it to us. Is it possible that this object was made as a tournament prize? Were there any tournaments in Warwickshire around those dates? I know that Henry was a big fan of such sporting events. The high style and low quality of the piece, the use of the King's horse's barding symbol, and the love the Tudors had for badges and whatnot of all kinds makes me think this is possible.

[@klaasvanmanen8214]

This was highly interesting, and you did a perfect job in presenting these matters. It made me curious indeed as to what you had to present on other subjects. I'm from the Netherlands, but I guess I'm welcome as a visitor to this channel too. Previously I watched a video on the Rosetta stone(s), which I also found highly interesting, so you're probably in very good company.

[@associatedblacksheepandmisfits]

A simpler explanation could be you hold my heart in your hand.😊

[@gkelly34]

Wow what a beautiful piece

[@starcrib]

🟧♾️🟧 Excellent commentary and video production: thanks for enhancing my historical curiosity of this particular find, its provenance, and high craftsmanship. 🟧♾️🟧

[@deemankajayakodi6948]

Wow 😍 I'm waiting as well.

[@djjamestobin]

What a fabulous video!

[@avlasting3507]

Extraordinary! 🙏

[@sillybeeful]

Fascinating ❤

[@k-dramagoodmorningseoul]

Hello? Due to the early heat in Korea recently, cherry blossoms and other flowers have bloomed and fallen early. Also, yesterday and today, it has rained nationwide and become cold. It's already Thursday this week. I hope you have good health and good things happen in the remaining week. Thank you very much. ^^

[@Tina06019]

“Toujours,” or just until he discarded her. This is heartbreaking.

[@ANUJSHARMA-tc1ub]

Waiting for this

[@tonyk1584]

Outstanding

[@johnmcglynn4102]

Wonderful! Thanks so much. Is there a way to look at the trace elements found in the gold and compare those to the other objects known to have been made for Henry's court? I seem to recall that this method was used here in California to identify the source of silver in some flatware from the 1860s.

[@josephinemiller68]

As a collector of antique jewelry I can tell you that the hand motif was not only popular in the tudor period but also the Georgian and Victorian.

[@TimArrowsmithDesign]

Amazing. 👏👏

[@timefoolery]

Fascinating! I wonder why such a necklace was made and for whom? I’m guessing it was to commemorate their marriage perhaps? Was it maybe a p prize from their wedding tournament or the one held for Prince Henry who didn’t live long? I love this kind of mystery!

[@mariavilaneidevieiracosta5450]

That was fascinating 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@angelacraw2907]

Great video.

[@kerryrwalton7791]

Thank you for the detailed explanation of your process. Given the current association with a horse and the size of the chain is it possible this is an ultra fancy (for a horse) shield to be worn on the horses' forehead or even neck? It might not be fancy enough for a royal but perhaps good enough to make a statement about a richly caparisoned horse. It also appears to be a locket. Is there any idea what it may have contained? Perhaps something pleasant smelling for both rider and horse. This also may explain why it fell off and lay buried for centuries. The rider did not know where it fell.

[@j0nnyism]

Just staggering that someone could’ve found something like this object metal detecting

[@louise7552]

Imagine what's sitting on the ocean floor waiting to be discovered. 😮😮

[@myview1875]

My hobby is metal detecting and yes there have been some fabulous things found over the years. 😀.

[@patavinity1262]

The "TOUJOURS" motif is rather ironic considering later events.

[@TheShmoo123]

Just take it out to a nice restaurant and pay lots of compliments…all should go well 👍🏽 Sorry, couldn’t resist it. Very interesting subject, thanks for posting 👍🏽

[@daniyalshah4338]

Thi is sooo beautiful. Imagine what other gorgeous jewellery they had

[@dianetheisen8664]

What a find💎‼️ Couple questions: how did it end up in a field and how much is it worth⁉️

[@98Zai]

8:53 On the back it looks like there are two hinges, one for the thin piece of metal still there, and one for a missing back piece? (to make a locket, the overall rounded shape also indicates this) Or is that just the way they attached the two pieces together? Looks like a mystery to me!

[@andreakaiser4075]

I wonder who owned the property where this was found in the 1500s. It's very possible they were supporters of Katherine and still believed the kings marriage was valid so instead of melting it down they had it buried for their own safety when Henry ordered everything of Katherine destroyed.

[@Familylawgroup]

The heart reminds me of the heart locket Henry gave Anne Boleyn when he was courting her. Anne was a big advocate of reading and books and she understood the importance of literacy in England’s future. Is it possible this item may have been made by the same person who made the Boleyn heart?

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how are you doing?

[@Familylawgroup]

@@Godwinpounds4333 how are you doing?

[@flipflopy8538]

The Anne Boleyn heart would be a replica of this heart he was with Kathrine first and if he gave her this at an engagement

[@susprime7018]

​@@flipflopy8538 "You can fool some of the people, some of the time," the people yelled "King's whore," and "great whore," or just "whore," at Anne's coronation progress, regardless if you put a crown on it. The tramp was Henry.

[@emmabaylis]

Lovely video . Any one else notice that the back of the pendent has two hinges , either there is bits missing or was reused elsewhere.

[@davewilson9738]

History is incredible.

[@Minalkra]

Compliment the artifact on it's fashion, ask it if it's seeing anyone and if it wants to hang out. Take it to a nice restaurant. Be interested in the artifact, it's opinions and what it has to say.

[@huangxizhang9897]

Agreed, the British museum is the best to all fascinating loots around the world 🌎

[@MariVictorius]

I’m wondering did the man who found this sell it to the museum or was he obligated to turn it over to them?

[@marimaricopiko]

1:34

[@trishmcdonough]

Yes, he'll have been both obligated and compensated (unless the reward was waived). It's gold so it's considered Treasure under the law. He was required to report it (as he did). If a museum wants to acquire it, there's a committee that comes up with a market value, which, I believe, the finder and landowner split.

[@MrKlaygomes]

Silly him.

[@madelainepetrin1430]

I would have found it difficult to relinquish it.😢

[@thysonsacclaim]

@@madelainepetrin1430 So you can hoard it away from anyone else and be a greedy little turd? Better in the public eye or being studied.

[@censusgary]

For my fellow Americans, 350 grams is just over twelve and a third ounces- quite heavy for a necklace, at least nowadays.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Thank you 🇺🇸

[@user-ks5cg5cd7m]

It just looks heavy even without knowing the exact numbers! I was surprised when she said the jewelry they knew that Henry & Katherine actually wore was even HEAVIER!

[@kencur9690]

I haven’t watched the vid yet, but here are my top tips from my own personal experience: (a) Firstly, be open minded. (b) Secondly, don’t care about what others say. Be prepared for looks - just ignore them. (c) Don’t bring up the past. Artifacts have lots of baggage, and you should have known that before you got involved. If you can’t handle it, then you should probably not be dating artifacts. (d) Don’t compare your artifact with other artifacts. Some are more famous than others, some are older, some are bigger, etc. Date an artifact because you’re into it, not because of how it compares with others. (e) You can date an artifact, but you can never truly own one. This applies to all relationships, really, but perhaps it is something we tend to forget when dating artifacts. (f) Finally, never put too much stress on the fact you’re dating an artifact: treat it as any other relationship.

[@SwimmerPrince]

what an spectacular find!! and amazing identification process, well explained too

[@Gdsm9]

I've studied British history at the graduate level. This gave me goosebumps.

[@AndSendMe]

The first step is the hardest, you have to talk to it and ask it out to coffee or an event of mutual interest.

[@derderrr7220]

i don't know who to go to for this but could you do some research on towie balls they were found in Glaschul Hill, Towie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland they're dated to 5000 years ago, i think they were used in agriculture and other mechanisms there should be evidence of rope wear on the stones, there is most certainly more of such beautiful proto-celtic artifacts around northern ireland, scotland and proberably all over the british isles i find these things facinating and could give some insight as to how stonehenge and other monolithic stones were moved at that time.

[@iainmiller3113]

It's the hand that hold's the heart!

[@gmt5664]

I need to wear my glasses more often. I read the title as "how to date an architect."

[@stickplayer2]

Start with a casual conversation about interests you share with the artifact.

[@profplum5]

This is fascinating. I love this. Did the man who found it get any money?

[@angelskyler3377]

Bit of a stretch saying that the hand motif was made by goldsmiths that new and or read the books by the publisher...it is simply a hand (not a closed fist) curled to hold a sign, flowers and or the motif entwined letters on a heart.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

Nice, Maybe there is more to find in the spot ? 😅

[@blind1294]

you forgot to mention the finder weighted 4 years for it to be assessed and given the reward 🤣🤣

[@pattheplanter]

Better to wait than to be given the price of a 20th century forgery.

[@oldsailor83]

I feel you glided over the parts that I specifically wanted to hear. Like how was the black enamel dated? And how could you be certain it was made before a certain year? Thanks and please keep making more of these videos.

[@stinew358]

The enamel is not dated with technology because the glass it was made from could be from anywhere. You use style

[@oldsailor83]

@@stinew358 Thank you. But how do you prove it’s not a forgery?

[@grahampalmer9337]

! But - where - in Warwickshire? Where it was found, or more precisely close to where, will go a long way to explaining how it ended up where it did. For instance: Were it found in the general vicinity of Kenilworth (Castle) it might have connections to the Causeway (Dam)/Tiltyard adjacent to the C16th Gallery Tower. Or possibly someone travelling to/from that location. Note that Kenilworth, although important in its own right, is close to many other, arguably more, important locales; Warwick for instance; & many long established 'ancient' routes between them.

[@beth12svist]

I believe exact locations of finds like this are not publicised to prevent less conscientious treasure hunting. Especially if research is still ongoing.

[@beth12svist]

@@girlnorthof60 I basically lumped that up under "less conscientious". :-)

[@Tuepp]

British museum basically lives from stolen items - you may have to wait 40 years or something to get this answer 😉

[@beth12svist]

@@Tuepp I don't want to minimise the problem that does exist, but when you and others bring up the issue under finds FROM THEIR OWN COUNTRY, you're being extremely counterproductive. This right here is EXACTLY what museums are SUPPOSED to do.

[@purpleskys6193]

Beautiful

[@Pocketfarmer1]

Doesn’t the cuff on the “hand” (or glove) being ermine signify royalty as well?

[@04nbod]

Could the heart have been decoration on the horses that was salvaged and added to a chain?

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

I would immediately know this was real, and as a history buff I would have had a very DIFFICULT time letting this go. The analysis of this piece is absolutely FASCINATING.

[@verity3616]

Are there hinges on the heart (pictured at 3:58)? Was it meant to open, like a locket? Or is that how they attached the back piece? And something I can't quite tell when the object is turned over, was it meant to be concave? Or has it been damaged and bent by being in the ground for so long?

[@voraciousreader3341]

Who will be answering your questions? The experts who make these videos don’t have time to do that!

[@verity3616]

@@voraciousreader3341 In the past other friendly visitors or experts have replied to me and explained more about the artifacts or cultures being described. Sometimes people who have seen the object on display, or similar objects, can answer the questions. Sometimes friendly historians or experts do stop by and answer. Besides, it's not a bad thing to ask questions. It's always good to be curious and let people know real folks are watching these and trying to learn more. We should all strive to be life long learners.

[@krisbrennan83]

To be honest I noticed the hinge like elements on both the outer edges of the reverse / concave side of the pendant, and was further curious that there seems to be a little ‘key’ that detached the gloved fist from the chain. I also noticed just how the chain itself is similar in construction to chainmail included with rudimentary medieval armour, again another reference to defence and protection (of love), adding to the romantic symbolism of the piece as a whole. I’m wondering if anyone from HRP are able to shed light on the object, given the expertise the Tudor historians within that organisation are able to collectively provide.

[@verity3616]

@@krisbrennan83 Good eye! I was thinking about something I had seen the in Victoria & Albert collection where people would 'lock' a promise inside a gem for display. And it wasn't always romantic, it was sometimes where a person would preserve a symbolic item like a medical wish, an athletic goal, or a tenuous legal agreement (i.e. a grant of land, a position of office).

[@freedomandrantforall]

Very Cool.

[@nobodysbaby5048]

I think it was a choker. The real question is how it got where it was found & is it actually broken, because I've never seen it in one piece.

[@slytherben]

Would've liked to hear more about where it was buried. When it possible buried there etc

[@tired_eyes49]

Ive been getting recommended so many of those “blind date” type of videos that I read this and thought you were going to givr a step by step on how to go about **dating** an artefact. I was so utterly confused. Maybe its because I’m sick and tired, but goodness. Okay.

[@DVD927]

I wonder if it could have been an award:prize from the tournament.

[@willdobson7351]

Considering the strong connections with the symbolism to the tournaments and tilt yard competitions, perhaps it is a prize for the winner.... Question is - Who won it?

[@abbyjmello]

This is exactly what I thought!