Known as the Tudor Heart, the gold pendant is linked to King Henry VIII's marriage to Katherine of Aragon. The 24-carat pendant was reportedly created for a tournament held in October 1518 to mark the betrothal of Princess Mary.
The pendant unites the Tudor rose with Katherine's pomegranate symbol and features a banner that reads ‘tousiors’, which is Old French for ‘always’. British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan confirmed that if the required funds are not secured before April 2026, the piece will enter a private collection.
"The Tudor Heart is perhaps one of the most incredible pieces of English history to have ever been unearthed,” he told BBC News.
"Support will ensure that this unique and beautiful treasure is secured for the nation, so that it can be enjoyed by and inspire generations to come."
According to researchers, the Tudor Heart is the only known object marking the marriage between King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, the first of his six wives. King Henry VIII’s desire to annul this marriage sparked the Reformation, the historic break from the Catholic Church and the rise of the Church of England.
More than 500 years later, the heart-shaped pendant and chain were discovered in Warwickshire by a metal detectorist in 2019. The pendant was reported under the Treasure Act 1996, which provides museums in England with the opportunity to acquire historical objects for display purposes.
Legally, the British Museum must pay a reward, which is split equally between the finder and the landowner. The reward is based on market value, as determined by a panel of experts, and has been set at £3.5 million ($AUD7.23 million).
A public campaign is now open for donations, and the Tudor Heart will be on display in the museum's gallery until April 2026.
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