John Mosman (goldsmith) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Mosman
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| Occupation | Goldsmith |
| Known for | Creating jewellery for the royal court |
John Mosman was a very skilled Scottish goldsmith. He lived in Edinburgh and worked for the kings and queens of Scotland. He also helped with gold mining in Scotland.
Contents
Who Was John Mosman?
There were a few people named John Mosman around at the same time. This can make it a bit confusing! One John Mosman from an earlier time was an apothecary (like a pharmacist) in Edinburgh.
In 1508, a John Mosman was involved in a fight with other goldsmiths. This John Mosman married Agnes Bartholmew in 1512. Another goldsmith named Alan Mosman also worked in Edinburgh then.
Mosman's Work for the King
John Mosman created many beautiful things for the royal family. One of his first known works was in 1534. He made silver clasps for the king's haubergeon. This was a type of chain-mail armor.
Scottish Gold Mining
Mosman was very involved in gold mining in Scotland. In 1539, miners from France arrived to help. Mosman paid for their travel and equipment. Many items he made for the king were crafted from gold found in Scotland.
For example, in 1538, he made a hat badge shaped like a mermaid. It had diamonds and was made from the king's own gold. Mosman also sold a large piece of raw gold from the mines. This gold was sent as a gift to the Duke of Guise, who was Queen Mary of Guise's father.
Jewels for the Queens
Mosman made many special pieces for the queens of Scotland. In 1538, he made a "chaffron" of gilded silver for the fool of Queen Madeleine of Valois. A chaffron was a fancy jeweled strip worn on the front of a hood.
In 1539, he made gold "chafferons" for the women of Queen Mary of Guise's court. He even made one in "Paris work" (a popular style) for one of King James V's daughters.
Another goldsmith, Thomas Rynd, also sold jewelry to Mary of Guise. King James V often bought chains and pendants from both Mosman and Rynd. These were often gifts for the queen's ladies, especially when she was pregnant.
In 1539, Mosman made a special item for Mary of Guise. It was a zibellino, which was a marten fur. It had a head and feet made of Scottish gold. Queen Mary, Queen of Scots later gave this fur to one of her ladies to be mended.
Mosman also made Mary of Guise a belt from Scottish gold with a sapphire. He made rings for King James V using Scottish gold and stones called "Scottish diamonds."
Royal Accessories
Mosman created many interesting items for King James V. He made silver containers for bones of saints, called reliquaries. He also made at least two whistles for the king from Scottish gold. One whistle had a dragon colored with enamel. These whistles might have been used on the king's ships.
The king also enjoyed hawking (hunting with hawks). Mosman made a silver clam shell to hold meat for training the birds. He made another, smaller clam shell for the king's tooth powder. He also made gold bells for hawks and a silver case for toothpicks.
Gifts for Other Kings
In 1540, King James V sent horses as gifts to the King of France and other important people. Mosman helped prepare the horses. He gilded their harnesses with buckles and decorations like thistles and lion's heads.
After a nobleman named James Hamilton was executed, his silver was brought to Edinburgh. Mosman engraved it with the royal symbols of the king's baby son, James.
John Mosman was an important part of the royal household. He received clothes like other royal staff. However, he wasn't the only goldsmith the king used. King James V often bought gifts from Thomas Rynd, especially for New Year's Day.
The Crown of Scotland
John Mosman is famous for making and fixing the Crown of Scotland in 1540. He added the king's initials, "JR5," to the crown. This crown is now kept at Edinburgh Castle with other important royal items.
The records show that the crown used Scottish "gold of the mine." It also had three large garnet stones and a big emerald or amethyst. Mosman delivered the finished crown to King James V at Holyrood Palace on February 7. A tailor made a purple velvet hat to go inside the crown.
Mosman also made a silver scepter and a crown for the coronation of Mary of Guise in 1540. This crown no longer exists. In 1542, Mosman was given more Scottish gold to make both the king's and queen's crowns even grander.
Working for Regent Arran
After King James V died, Mosman also worked for Regent Arran, who ruled Scotland for the young Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1550, Mosman was praised for his hard work. He made a gold chain for a French visitor who brought a peace treaty. Mary of Guise paid for half of the gold for this chain.
In 1552, he made chains and hat-badges for Regent Arran. He likely also made the jewelry given out at the wedding of Arran's daughter, Barbara Hamilton, in 1549. These gifts included gold rings, hat-badges, and bracelets.
Mosman also gilded a silver bell for Regent Arran in 1552.
In 1556, John Mosman and other goldsmiths were asked to collect money from their fellow goldsmiths. This money was a tax to help defend the Scottish borders. John Mosman probably died soon after this time.
Mosman's Family
John Mosman was married to Katherine Sym. They had children, including:
- John Mosman: He married Susanna Wilson. Their shop sold many rings with precious stones. He made a cup in 1586 that is now in the National Museum of Scotland.
- James Mosman: He was also a goldsmith and rebuilt the famous "John Knox House" in Edinburgh. He worked at the royal mint and made coins. James Mosman made gold chains for Mary, Queen of Scots to give as gifts. He was involved in helping to raise money during a long siege of Edinburgh Castle and sadly died in 1573.
