John Mabbe facts for kids

John Mabbe was the name shared by three skilled goldsmiths in Tudor London. They lived and worked during the time of famous English rulers like Elizabeth I. These goldsmiths created beautiful and valuable items from gold.

Who Were the John Mabbe Goldsmiths?

There were three important goldsmiths named John Mabbe. The oldest, John Mabbe senior, passed away in 1582. He was married to Isabell Colley. He also held an important job called the Chamberlain of London. This role involved managing the city's money.

His son, also named John, married Martha Denham. They had a son, the third John Mabbe. This third John Mabbe also became a goldsmith. The family also included Ralph Mabbe, who worked with books, and James Mabbe, who was famous for translating Spanish stories.

Working for Royalty

John Mabbe senior likely worked for Princess Mary. Her lady-in-waiting, Mary Finch, wrote about a goldsmith named "Mabell." This was probably John Mabbe senior. He also had a share in a famous inn called the Tabard Inn in Southwark. In 1578, he wrote his will, which is a legal document about his wishes for his property. His son, Robert Mabbe, later promised a part of the inn to another goldsmith, Affabel Partridge.

A Goldsmith's Amazing Stock

In 1576, a list was made of all the items that John Mabbe the younger had in his shop. This list is called an inventory. It tells us a lot about the kinds of jewels and gold items he sold.

At that time, Elizabeth I made a rule about the quality of gold sold in London. Gold quality is measured by its fineness, like 22 carat (ct). She allowed John Mabbe to sell his existing jewelry, even if it was made with gold that was a little less than 22 ct.

Jewels with Stories

John Mabbe's inventory included many fascinating jewels. Some told stories from history or myths:

• Jewels showing the story of Joshua and Caleb from the Bible.
• Pieces representing Charity, a symbol of kindness.
• Jewels with the mighty hero Hercules.
• The story of Narcissus, a figure from Greek myth.
• Julius Caesar, the famous Roman leader.
• A mermaid, a mythical sea creature.
• The story of Mars, Venus and Cupid, Roman gods of war, love, and desire.
• Phoebus Apollo and Daphne, another Greek myth.
• An emblem called Fama Perennis, which means "lasting fame."

There was also a gold tablet or locket. It showed a "Roman burning his hand in fire." This told the brave story of Gaius Mucius Scaevola. He was a Roman hero who showed his courage by burning his own hand.

Another unique item was a gold tortoise. Its shell was decorated with 39 sparkling topaz gemstones. It also had a beautiful emerald hanging from it. John Mabbe also had 224 gold perfumed beads. These were called pomander beads because they held sweet-smelling compounds.

Diverse Representations in Art

Kim F. Hall, a scholar, has studied John Mabbe's 1576 inventory. She noticed that some gold brooches in his stock showed images of Black Africans. These included cameos described as a "Mores-head," a "Blackamoore," and a woman like a "More." These terms were used in the past to describe people of African descent. These images show how diverse people were represented in art during the Tudor period.