Gold and enamelled figure depicting King Henry VI as a saint
This is a rare example of an object that explicitly represents King Henry VI as a saint, with the initials SH (Saint Henry) inscribed beneath his feet, rather than RH meaning King Henry (Rex Henricus).
The chained antelope represents his heraldic badge, while the orb and sceptre in each hand symbolises his regal authority. The figure is probably cast, with additional hand-worked elements constructed from multiple pieces. The gold is of extremely high purity, suggesting that the figure was attached to another prestigious object. The figure is covered with ronde-bosse enamelling, a time consuming and difficult process requiring several firings. The materials and quality suggest that the object’s owner was of the wealthiest in society and had connections to skilled craftspeople.
Although Henry VI was never officially made a saint, many people in England venerated him as one in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. There were churches dedicated to Henry VI in every county in England, and an abundance of material culture has been found, including pilgrim badges. Many questions remain as to who owned this object, who made it, and why it was discarded in a field in Little Oxendon.
Number 47 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
© The Trustees of the British Museum
©
NMAG
©
Victoria and Albert Museum
©
NMAG
©
NMAG