Drake Jewel facts for kids
The Drake Jewel is a special pendant that Queen Elizabeth I gave to Sir Francis Drake. She gave it to him to show how thankful she was for his amazing achievements. You can see this beautiful jewel today at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.
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Why Queen Elizabeth Gave the Jewel to Drake
Queen Elizabeth I wanted to give Sir Francis Drake a very special gift. She asked a famous artist named Nicholas Hilliard to create this unique pendant. It was probably given to Drake before 1591. Many people think she gave it to him to celebrate England's big victory against the Spanish Armada in 1588. This was a huge naval battle where England won!
Drake's Pride in the Jewel
Sir Francis Drake loved this jewel more than anything else he owned. A painter named Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger painted Drake in 1591. In the painting, Drake is clearly wearing the jewel. This shows how important it was to him.
Who Owned the Jewel After Drake?
After Sir Francis Drake passed away in 1596, the jewel went to his brother, Thomas Drake. When Thomas died in 1637, his wife received it. She later sold the jewel to her daughters.
What the Drake Jewel Looks Like
The Drake Jewel is a very detailed and valuable piece.
The Front of the Jewel
On the front of the jewel, you can see a special kind of carving called a cameo. This cameo shows the faces of an African man and a European woman.
The Back of the Jewel
The back of the jewel can be opened up. Inside, there is a small painting of Queen Elizabeth I. Next to her, there is a picture of a phoenix. A phoenix is a mythical bird that rises from ashes.
Materials and Details
The small portraits inside are painted with watercolour on vellum. Vellum is a type of fine parchment. Around these paintings, the jewel is decorated with sparkling rubies, diamonds, and pearls. The African man in the cameo is wearing a special head covering. This type of headgear was worn by Roman generals and emperors.
Images for kids
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A portrait of Drake wearing the Jewel, by Henry Bone, dated 1829
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A closer look at the jewel from the Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger portrait
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The Drake Jewel on display at the V&A museum
