Acquisition of a gold and enamelled figure of King Henry VI as saint

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Thanks to National Heritage Memorial Fund support, the British Museum has acquired the only surviving saintly depiction of the 15th-century king.

The tiny gold figure stands at less than 4cm tall and is the only remaining depiction of Henry VI to explicitly represent him as a saint. The intricate figurine is believed to have been created as part of a campaign to have the king canonised after his death in 1471. The quality of the object suggests it was made for a patron of high status.

Enormous historical significance

The one-of-a-kind figure was found by a metal detectorist near Market Harborough in 2017 and is thought to have been originally attached to a much larger object that was likely destroyed in the 16th century.  

With the figure’s future secured, the British Museum can carry out research into who made it and where it originally came from.

Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “This is a truly exceptional object from a fascinating period of English history. It combines enormous historical significance with wonderful craftsmanship and great beauty. It can now be appreciated by visitors to the British Museum and through digitisation online.”