Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?:

December 16, 2013

By Katerina Perez

4 min read

In October, the Museum of London opened an exhibition featuring the “greatest hoard” of treasures from the reign of Elizabeth I and the time of the Stuarts. There are around 500 exhibits, including gemstones, jewellery, perfume bottles and watches. Most interesting of all is the fact that they have ended up in a museum not thanks to a noble lady who decided to give her prized possessions away for safekeeping. Rather, they are now on display by pure chance after being discovered buried in the ground by construction workers in 1912.

How did the jewels end up there and whom did they belong to? Were they purposefully hidden by someone? If so, why did no one come back for them? I should think these are the questions which visitors of the exhibition will unwittingly ask themselves. The curator, Hazel Forsyth, set herself the task of finding out the answers to these questions by undertaking her own investigation.

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

The result was something of a success: they managed to determine the identity of 18 jewellers who rented out the property at 30-32 Cheapside in the City of London, the very address where this trove lay hidden for almost 300 years. It turns out that one of the tenants was the 17th century swindler Thomas Simpson. His counterfeit pieces were sold as if they were the real thing for sums that were immense for that time; sometimes he would sell them for as much as £8,000. It is unsurprising that two of his “precious” rubies, found on Cheapside, are in fact nothing other than dyed quartz crystals.

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Nonetheless, the presence of faked stones is not sufficient to prove that the chest of treasure was simply a trickster’s nest egg. There is a theory that the items could have belonged to an ordinary jeweller who was called up to serve in the English Civil War (1642-1651). There were no such things as safes at that time and so jewellers would simply hide their creations wherever they could. Cellars were probably the most reliable hiding places and it seems one on Cheapside served that very purpose since that is where these stones were found, lying in wait, as it were, for their master.

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Indeed, when they were found and acquired by the museum, amongst the jewellery, watches and gemstones was a tiny seal engraved with the crest of William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, the title bestowed on him in 1640. It was this detail which allowed experts to pinpoint the date of burial: at some point between 1640 and 1666.

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Another possible explanation is linked to the Great Fire of London in 1666. Tens of thousands of homes were consumed by the flames, but most of the cellars remained unscathed. It is likely that the owner of the jewels left them behind in the rush to save himself and couldn’t get back to them after.

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Who did the Cheapside Hoard jewels belong to?

Essentially it’s anyone’s guess. Despite the newest state-of-the-art technology and all the research that has been done, we will never be able to say with certainty how the Cheapside Hoard came to be there and who was responsible for burying it. Be that as it may, whoever it was deserves our thanks: without that person or Hazel Forsyth, we would not have this kind of insight into the past or as good an understanding of the intricacies of the craftsmanship practised by jewellers in the mid 17th century.

Photos are courtesy of Museum of London

The Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraiba: The most precious gifts given by mother nature to mankind

continue reading

Birthday Wishes: Embracing the Power of Being Different 

Today, I want to share my thoughts on embracing your inner self and channelling all that power into your biggest passions…

by Katerina Perez

Flip the Script: Meet the Jewellers Creating Luxury Customised Watches

Jewellery designers are increasingly turning their artistic talents to the world of horology, customising luxury watches with unique embellishments that carry their personal style signatures. From reimagined Rolexes to gemstone-studded bezels, discover how jewellers are making their mark on the world of timepieces

by Rachael Taylor

Iconic Revival: Boucheron Reinvents the Serpent Bohème Jewellery

That nostalgic feeling of seeing past creations—sometimes forgotten, sometimes iconic—sparking a rush of inspiration to reimagine and breathe new life into what once was. That's exactly what Boucheron has achieved with its latest revival: the Serpent Bohème Vintage collection

by Hirshi Sujanti

Art Deco Innovation: Exploring the Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out as a masterpiece of Art Deco ingenuity. As the world celebrates the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, we are taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the most technically ambitious innovations to emerge from this golden era of jewellery design

by Claire Roberts

Emerald Odyssey: Chopard Unveils its Insofu High Jewellery Collection

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new collection unveiling. But what truly excites me isn't just the sparkle and glamour – it's when a brand takes a bold and unexpected approach. This is exactly what Chopard has done with its latest Insofu High Jewellery collection, which all started with the extraordinary 6,225-carat 'Insofu' rough emerald. Let's take a closer look at the creations that have emerged from this incredible mineral specimen

by Hirshi Sujanti

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Best Jewellery Watches 

From diamond-drenched serpents to enamelled blooms and secret talismans, these new jewellery watches unveiled in Geneva embody the artistry, emotion and extravagance of high jewellery watchmaking for women

by Rachael Taylor

Refined Character: The Ancient-Meets-Modern Allure of Dionysios Fine Jewels

The Dionysios signature is all about warm, soulful jewellery that’s characterful without being overtly historical or too starkly modern. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s highlights…

by Katerina Perez

Blinded by the Light: The April Birthstone Through the Lens of Diamond Pavé

Let's consider pieces that showcase this method of craftsmanship in all its sparkling glory…

by Katerina Perez

Love Language: Introducing the Expressive Creations of Zome Jewellery

For designers like Meghna Biswas, the woman behind Zome Jewellery in the United Arab Emirates, the process of transforming coloured gemstones and precious metals into beautiful creations is an ever-evolving love language

by Katerina Perez

Diamond Garden: Creating Digital Delights with AI Artist Anastasia Rogozhina

Take a look and consider the incredible feats that artificial intelligence can achieve in empowering creativity and broadening our minds

by Katerina Perez

100 Years of Art Deco: Top 10 Pieces of Art Deco Jewellery Sold at Auction

From the legendary Van Cleef & Arpels Jarretière bracelet worn by Marlene Dietrich to a striking aigrette that was once part of the Al Thani collection, all the pieces below are infused with the fearless originality of the Jazz Age

by Claire Roberts

Spirited Jewels: The Expressive Creativity of Elena Semy Jewellery 

Today, I'd like to introduce you to the creative designs of Elena Semy Jewellery and Elena, the artist behind them

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Century of Splendour:Louis Vuitton Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Chapter II

Creative Director Francesca Amfitheatrof offers her unique interpretation of a pivotal period in France’s history, marked by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, and the rise of industrialism

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.