Jan & John Maggs Antiques

Thoughts on the Stuart Crystal Jewels of England

Jan Maggs

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 Stuart crystals have fascinated lovers of antique jewelry for many years, and for good reason. These beautiful gems were initially created in 1649, when King Charles I, the martyred King of England, was executed under Cromwell’s rule. People loyal to the Stuart monarchy (Royalists) wished to memorialize their lost King, to show their support and sympathy, by wearing slides, pendants, rings, earrings or cufflinks with the his initials, crowns, or a likeness of the fallen King, set in gold or silver under a crystal. Thus they became known as Stuart crystals, as they were commemorative of King Charles I, of the House of Stuart. Royalists opposed Charles I’s execution, believing that he was God’s chosen leader, and feeling that his death was not justice, but murder. Later in the 17^th century, the crystals were worn by Jacobites against the deposition of James II and the Stuart monarchy in 1688. Showing support for fallen monarchs was dangerous, so many Stuart crystals were diminutive and were worn secretly.

These amazing pieces of jewelry were made up of clear, faceted rock crystals, enclosing  love tokens (pieces of ribbon, cloth, or hair), with initials (sometimes the King’s monogram) worked in fine gold wire into cyphers on top, and a foil backing (rose, silver, sometimes blue or green, in color). The whole mounting was closed-back set in silver or gold. This did not open but was rubbed over the crystal, or sealed in a crimped manner.

Rarely does one find pieces which actually contain the highly prized hair of King Charles I. It is more usual to find Stuart crystal jewels with a miscellany of cyphers (in monogram) over the hair/fabric work, on top of the colored foil. Occasionally there are additional pieces of foil or filigree worked into angels, crowns, skulls, swags, skeletons, doves, etc., placed under the crystals, especially in slides or pendants if worn in memoriam. Later in the 17^th century some Stuart pieces were worn as love tokens or wedding commemoratives, with symbols of love, i.e., hearts, putti, cherubs, or wreaths of flowers. This tradition continued through the reign of Queen Anne, who died in 1714, the last monarch of the House of Stuart.

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A few Stuart pieces sold in years past. 

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