On the front of this gold pendent is a silhouette bust of Elizabeth The 1st of England ( reigned 1558-1603 ) On the reverse is a phoenix in flames under the royal monogram 'ER' ; a crown and heavenly rays , enclosed with an enamel wreath of red and white roses .
Elizabeth is generally portrayed in an idealised manner ( her portraits in later years show no sign of aging ) This magnificent jewel is a unique survival , no matching example is known . The portrait of the Queen is similar to that in a miniature by Nicholas Hillard ( around symbol of renewal , while the entwined red and white roses symbolize the consolidation of England under Tudor rule .
No comments:
Post a Comment