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Alfred Jewel
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Alfred Jewel, gold and enamel, Anglo-Saxon, c. 9th century; in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
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Alfred Jewel, gold and enamel, Anglo-Saxon, c. 9th century; in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Alfred Jewel, gold and enamel, Anglo-Saxon, c. 9th century; in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Alfred Jewel

ornament
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History

Alfred Jewel, elaborate gold ornament consisting of an enameled plaque with a figure held in place on one side by an engraved design and on the other by a gold fret of Old English words. The inscription reads, “Aelfred mec heht gewyrcan” (“Alfred ordered me to be made”). The Alfred Jewel (now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford) was found in 1693 near Athelney, Somerset, Eng., where Alfred the Great took refuge from the Danes in 878. Its design shows strong Byzantine influence.