The Alfred Jewel is a piece of Anglo-Saxon goldsmithing work made of enamel and quartz enclosed in gold, discovered in 1693 in North Petherton, Somerset, England. It has been dated to the late 9th century, in the reign of Alfred the Great, and is inscribed AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN, meaning Alfred ordered me made. It is now generally accepted that the jewel functioned as the handle for a pointer stick used to follow words when reading a book, and it is now one of the most popular exhibits at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Facts
Year CreatedDated by the source to the late 9th century, in the reign of Alfred the Great (871-899); 890 recorded as a representative year within that documented range, not a precise date. MediumEnamel and quartz enclosed in gold 1 LocationAshmolean Museum, Oxford 1 Sources
1. Alfred Jewel (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundationlead section
It has been dated to the late 9th century, in the reign of Alfred the Great
Lead section, dating clause
It has been dated to the late 9th century, in the reign of Alfred the Great
Lead section, first sentence
The Alfred Jewel is a piece of Anglo-Saxon goldsmithing work made of enamel and quartz enclosed in gold.
Lead section, museum sentence
is now one of the most popular exhibits at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
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