Good morning, all.
Though a scientist by training, I am fascinated by Anglo-Saxon history. About a year ago, inspired by the Anglo-Saxon and Viking exhibits in the Ashmolean Museum, I decided that I would write a novel about an Anglo-Saxon gold and silversmith. Having plunged in and written three chapters, I realised that I knew nothing about the subject, and that I would have to try to learn something of the craft if the book were to proceed any further.
I acquired a few basic tools and items of equipment, and after a few hours of cursing, I managed to cast a silver signet ring. I then had a try at vitreous enamelling, since this appears to have been quite popular in mediaeval times.
The book has made no further progress, but I now have some idea how things were made, having succeeded in making several rings, enamelled escutcheons, and crude replicas of the Alfred Jewel and the Minster Lovell Jewel. Well, I think they are crude, but friends say they are 'astonishing'.
I should like to learn more about the techniques employed by mediaeval jewellers, so if anybody can point me at suitable sources, I would be most grateful.
The Alfred replica - vitreous enamel on etched copper, bronze and copper-gilt. The 'crystal' is resin.
The Minster Lovell replica - bronze clay and vitreous on copper.
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