An exceptional Elizabethan amber pendant will be the protagonist of the upcoming high sculpture sale in London. This rediscovered masterpiece, rich in history and finely crafted, testifies to the timeless charm of Prussian Renaissance craftsmanship and its complex symbolism linked to the English crown.
On the upcoming July 1st, Sotheby’s will present an exceptional amber pendant at the event Master Sculpture from Four Millennia. The sculpture celebrates the final years of Elizabeth I‘s reign. The estimate ranges between 100,000 and 150,000 pounds, approximately 132,599-198,898 dollars.
However, this lot represents only the second richest offer of the event. The main piece is a rare nautilus shell engraved by Cornelis Bellekin, estimated up to 400,000 pounds. Additionally, the current seller purchased the piece in Edinburgh for only 5,588 pounds last November.
A rediscovered treasure at Sotheby’s auction
In the past, merchants did not identify the object as an authentic Renaissance jewel. Consequently, collectors overlooked its real artistic importance. However, the auction house expert Christopher Mason confirmed that recent scientific studies have clarified its origin.
Researchers have linked the artifact to the historic exhibition of the Burlington Fine Arts Club in 1879. Furthermore, experts attribute the work to Hans Klingenberg or collaborator Georg Schreiber. Both artisans operated in Königsberg, a city famous for its rich resin deposits.
Technology confirms the authenticity of the artifact
The restorer Joanna Whalley, former expert of the V&A Museum, studied the artifact carefully. X-ray analyses confirmed the compatibility of the techniques with the proposed era. That said, the exams exclude the use of alternative materials such as bone or ivory.
| Lot at auction | Estimated author | Auction estimate (£) |
| Engraved nautilus | Cornelis Bellekin | £200,000 – £400,000 |
| Elizabethan pendant | Hans Klingenberg / Georg Schreiber | £100,000 – £150,000 |
The iconography of the Virgin Queen
The portrait of the queen reproduces an engraving by Crispijn de Passe the Elder from 1592. This design was based in turn on a miniature by Isaac Oliver. In contrast to the original work, the artisan inserted a Tudor rose on the sovereign’s chest. Overall, this choice enhances the iconographic figure of the monarch of England.
The main gem is enclosed in a heart of transparent yellow amber. This convex casing magnifies the details, anticipating the lenses of Johann Georg Keyssler. Additionally, a parrot appears on the back, a Marian symbol associated with the purity of the queen.
How has the shadow of history shaped this market?
Overall, the craftsmanship of this material underwent a profound revolution after 1525. Initially, the Teutonic Order monopolized the reserves for purely religious purposes. Subsequently, the reform of Albrecht of Hohenzollern favored the development of a flourishing secular market.
Finally, before the Scottish auction, this exceptional amber pendant belonged to the historic collection of John Malcolm. The influential politician and 19th-century collector safeguarded the masterpiece for generations. Today, the work represents an extraordinary investment opportunity for the global art market.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
