Second quarter of the 16th century - late 16th century
1,4 × 0,5 cm
The treasure, discovered in the southwestern latrine of the 16th- and 17th-century palace, was buried beneath a three-metre-thick cultural layer, which preserved the 2,600 artefacts for centuries before archaeologists unearthed them. This gold adornment is a testament to the palace's daily life among the remnants of clothing, footwear, and household items discovered in the latrine. Some finds, such as pearl necklaces and gold articles, are exceptionally rare.
The delicate nature of this piece, weighing a mere 0.44 grams and crafted from fine fabrics and filigree, suggests it likely adorned clothing. Similar gold embellishments discovered near the Tudor residence, notably the Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, have earned the designation "Tudor gold".
Today, this gold decorative piece is proudly showcased among other precious finds in the museum's Treasury, alongside other remarkable gold and precious stone finds.
Information prepared by Rasa Gliebutė
Photographer Vytautas Abramauskas
