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british museum tudor heart henry viii 1234756993

The British Museum has launched a high-profile fundraising campaign to acquire the Tudor Heart, a 24-karat gold pendant from the early reign of Henry VIII. Discovered by amateur metal detectorist Charlie Clarke in Warwickshire in 2019, the pendant features a rose and pomegranate tree—symbols of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon—along with engraved letters 'H' and 'K'. The museum, supported by actor Damian Lewis and historian Mary Beard, aims to raise £3.5 million (about $4.6 million) by early next year to prevent the piece from entering a private collection. The campaign includes a public appeal and the first British Museum Ball on October 18.

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article news schedule Oct 14, 2025 visibility 2 link 2 artists

british museum tudor heart henry viii 1234756993

The British Museum has launched a high-profile fundraising campaign to acquire the Tudor Heart, a gold pendant from the early reign of Henry VIII, discovered by amateur metal detectorist Charlie Clarke in Warwickshire in 2019. The museum needs to raise £3.5 million ($4.6 million) by early next year to secure the piece, which features symbols of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon and is described as the only surviving Tudor jewelry of its kind. Actor Damian Lewis and historian Mary Beard are supporting the appeal, and the museum will host its first British Museum Ball on October 18 to further fundraising efforts.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Oct 14, 2025 visibility 3 link 2 artists

british museum tudor heart henry viii 1234756993

The British Museum has launched a high-profile fundraising campaign to acquire the Tudor Heart, a 24-karat gold pendant from the early reign of Henry VIII, decorated with a rose and pomegranate tree and engraved with the letters 'H' and 'K' for Henry and his wife Katherine of Aragon. Found by amateur metal detectorist Charlie Clarke in Warwickshire in 2019, the piece is described by curator Rachel King as a unique surviving example of Tudor 'bling' previously known only from inventories and paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger. The museum needs to raise £3.5 million (about $4.6 million) by early next year, with support from actor Damian Lewis and historian Mary Beard, and will host its first British Museum Ball on October 18 as part of the effort.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original