Collar of Esses

ID:

84.80

Production date:

Late Medieval; mid 15th century

Location:

In Store

This silver ornament, known as a 'collar of SS' or 'of esses', is made up of 41 links, each in the form of a letter S. These collars were an emblem of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340-99), of his son Henry, who became King Henry IV in 1399, and of the other Lancastrian kings Henry V and Henry VI. Collars of varying degrees of value were presented to those the king wished to honour. A silver collar like this was probably made for someone below the rank of knight: an emblem of authority for a government official or an ambassador.  < ...Read more

This silver ornament, known as a 'collar of SS' or 'of esses', is made up of 41 links, each in the form of a letter S. These collars were an emblem of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340-99), of his son Henry, who became King Henry IV in 1399, and of the other Lancastrian kings Henry V and Henry VI. Collars of varying degrees of value were presented to those the king wished to honour. A silver collar like this was probably made for someone below the rank of knight: an emblem of authority for a government official or an ambassador.

Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. < Hide

Measurements

L 700 mm (excluding pendant), H 275 mm; W 212 mm; D 10 mm (as displayed)

Materials

silver

Last Updated

2024-03-14