Queen Victoria visited Ireland in August 1849. One afternoon Prince Albert was able to visit the Dublin shops alone and took the opportunity to order two similar brooches, based on ninth and tenth-century Celtic examples. This one was given as a Christmas gift that year. The brooch reflects the royal couple’s interest in history, and Prince Albert’s support for contemporary jewellery design.

Albert took me 1rst to my tree in the Red Room. As usual, he has given me so much that I do not know how to describe the things…

Queen Victoria’s Journal, 24 December 1849

From Prince Albert to Queen Victoria, Christmas 1849