The Alfred Jewel

The Alfred Jewel is a renowned Anglo-Saxon artifact from the 9th or 10th century, consisting of a decorated object believed to have been worn as an ornament or badge. It features a figure of a man, possibly representing Christ or a saint, encased in a glass dome and surrounded by intricate gold work. Likely used as a pointer for reading or ceremonial purposes, the jewel reflects the high craftsmanship of early medieval England and provides insight into the religious and artistic culture of the time. It is now housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.