Ten star Rothschild treasures from the new British Museum gallery

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

The Medieval and Renaissance treasures of the Waddesdon Bequest will be unveiled in a brand new gallery at the British Museum on June 11Left to the museum by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1898, the treasures provide a fascinating insight into shifting taste, the growth of the art market and the development of forgery during the 19th century. Here are ten highlights from a collection of nearly 300 pieces:

The Lyte Jewel

One of the few pieces with a strong British connection, the Lyte Jewel surrounds a Nicholas Hilliard watercolour miniature of James I (James VI of Scotland) with gold and diamonds. The locket was given to Thomas Lyte in thanks for a genealogy which claimed James was descended from Brutus, a mythical Trojan who was supposed to have founded the British nation.

As a King struggling for legitimacy in England, the genealogy was incredibly valuable to him. The workmanship of the precious gift, made in London in 1610-11, demonstrates this.

The Holy Thorn Reliquary

Featured in the Radio 4 series The History of the World in 100 Objects, the sapphire, ruby and pearl-encrusted gold reliquary has a scurrilous past.

Built to house one of the most important of all Christian relics, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns worn by Christ at the Crucifixion, it was made in Paris in around 1400 as a private devotional object for Jean, Duc du Berry, one of the greatest collectors and art patrons of the late middle ages.

However, when it was sent for repair in 1860 to Salomon Weininger, the restorer copied it and sold the original. From there, it found its way into Baron Anselm de Rothschild’s hands in around 1873.

Miniature Tabernacle and Case

Carved from boxwood and covered with a case of soft blue leather, the tabernacle was designed as an aid to prayer. The top splays open like a flower to reveal scenes from the Life and Passion of Christ.

The body of the piece also opens up to reveal more religious scenes carved out with incredible depth and delicacy.

Two Majolica Vases

A pair of tin-glazed ceramics made in the mid-16th century, these vases were treasured parts of Horace Walpole’s collection at Strawberry Hill before they found an equally welcome home at Waddesdon Manor.

The 'Cellini' Bell

Another former jewel in Walpole’s Strawberry Hill collection is this delightful silver bell. Cast by Wenzel Jamnitzer in Nuremberg in around 1600, the bell is smothered in tiny lizards, beetles and grasses.

The Aspremont Lynden Ewer and Basin

Two silver-guilt objects made between 1545-50, named because of the arms of the Counts of Aspremont Lynden of Liège and Brussels at the centre of the basin.

Rosary Bead or Prayer-nut

Much like the miniature tabernacle, this aid to worship is carved from boxwood and opens up to reveal exquisite religious scenes. Two key moments for the life of St Hubert are depicted: his adoring of the stag and consecration by Pope Sergius. As a final flourish, two silver-guilt plates with suspension hoops are attached to either end.

The Ghisi Shield

A fabulous ornamental shield made of hammered iron in about 1600, the Ghisi Shield is decorated with silver plate and gold damascening, and bears figures symbolising Glory, Prudence, Fame and Strength.

Meit Busts

Two boxwood busts, made in about 1515, of Philibert II of Savoy and Margaret of Austria. Philibert II married Margaret in 1500 after the death - aged 12 - of his first wife and cousin Yolande of Savoy. Philibert and Margaret's union brought the House of Savoy and the Hapsburgs of Austria together until Philbert's death at the age of 24 in 1504.

Margaret lived until 1530, enjoying a successful political career which included two spells as Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands and the guardianship of her young nephew Charles (the future Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor).

Venetian Glass Goblet

Made in the late 1400s of opaque blue soda glass, the goblet is enamelled and gilded with pairs of lovers. The subject suggests that it may originally have been a betrothal gift.

• The Waddesdon Bequest: A Rothschild Renaissance Gallery opens a the British Museum June 11 2015. Admission free. See more on the British Museum website.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/art528030-ten-star-objects-from-the-rothschild-treasures-in-the-new-british-museum-gallery