Locket, commemorating Charles I

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This gold locket commemorates the 'Martyr King', Charles I, who was executed on 30 January 1649.

The heart-shaped locket contains a miniature of Charles I. Above the miniature is a crown, below a skull and crossbones. Inside the locket is a lock of Charles' light brown hair and a fragment of the blood-stained shirt he wore at his execution.

Many pieces of jewellery commemorate the later Stewart monarchs, particularly after the execution of Charles I in 1649. The pieces were worn by supporters of the Scottish dynasty and handed down through their families into the 18th century.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-001-457-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NF 20
• Date: Around 1649
  c. 1650
  
• Material: Gold, pearl, enamel / porcelain / linen / hair
  Pendant / miniature / hair / shirt / piece / box
  
• Dimensions: 3.30" L; 1.50" x 1.20" heart
  
• What: Pendant / miniature / hair / shirt / piece / box
  
• Subject: Jewellery: pendants, lockets, chains, beads (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Charles I
  Lady Jane[t] Murray (Owner)
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Heart-shaped gold and enamelled pendant, c. 1650, containing a miniature of Charles I, a lock of his hair and a part of the blood-stained linen shirt he wore at his execution
  
• References:
  • Marshall, R. K. (ed). Dynasty: The Royal House of Stewart. Edinburgh: NGS & NMS, 1990 
• Translations:
• Related Records: