Art Funded by you

Hawking vervel of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales

Unknown artist, 1610–1612

Derived from the French vervelle, a vervel is the metal loop used to connect leather straps to hunting hawks' legs, enabling them to be tied to stands or leashes. This example, discovered in Norfolk by metal detectorists, has special significance as it was owned by Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. Born in 1594 to James I and Anne of Denmark, Henry was heir to the thrones of England and Scotland prior to his untimely death from typhoid in 1612. His historical importance was highlighted by the National Portrait Gallery's 2012 exhibition The Lost Prince: The Life and Death of Henry Stuart, which established Henry as a widely loved figure whose death was regarded as a national tragedy for the recently united kingdom. The owner can be clearly identified from the inscription, 'Henrye Prince', running around the outer face of the ring, and the badge of the Prince of Wales inscribed on the plate: three ostrich feathers ringed by a coronet, above a scroll bearing the phrase 'ICH DIEN' (a contraction of the German 'I serve'). Hawking was a specialised and especially aristocratic form of hunting, which in Henry's day hunting was considered a virile sport which taught the young the skills of warfare. Aside from their use in tethering hawks, personalised vervels also allowed lost birds to be returned to their owners, although it is not yet known why Henry may have visited Norfolk as Prince of Wales.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Hawking vervel of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, 1610–1612

Date supported

2013

Medium and material

Silver

Dimensions

Ring 10.5mm diameter; shield 10 x 8mm

Grant

2000

Total cost

6000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

Art Funded by you FAQs

Why is this object record marked 'archive'?
Where can I see this work of art? Is it on display?
What is Art Fund's purpose?
How is Art Fund funded?
What type of funding do you offer?
What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply?
How many works of art has Art Fund helped museums to acquire?
I’m a curator/researcher/arts professional and would like to find out more about this work, how do I get in touch?
I’m a journalist and would like to contact Art Fund about this work, how do I get in touch?
I would like to donate a work of art to a museum. What do I need to do?
I'd like to leave a gift to Art Fund in my will. How can I do this?

Contact us

If you have a question about a work of art in our archive, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.