Southern Italian, 17th/ 18th century

Possibly, Elizabeth Montagu, Duchess of Montagu (1654-1734) to her husband's son,

John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu (1690–1749) to his daughter, 

Mary Montagu, Duchess of Montagu (c.1711/1712– 1775) to her daughter,

Elizabeth Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch (1743–1827) to her youngest son,

Henry James Montagu-Scott, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton at Ditton Park (1776–1845) to his wife,

Jane Margaret Douglas, Lady Montagu (1779-1859) by descent to her eldest daughter, The Hon. Lucy Elizabeth Montagu-Scott (1805–1877) who married Cospatrick, 11th Earl of Home (1799-1881),

thence by descent in the collection of the Earls of Home at The Hirsel, Berwickshire.

A. W. Chisholm, Inventory of Antique Silver, Miniatures, Curious &c. belonging to the Right Hon. The Earl of Home [etc…], Edinburgh, February 1904, […] Content of Cabinets [The Montagu Heirlooms, 'From the Ditton Park Collection’], in the Saloon, p. 1;

Lofts & Warner, Valuation of Jewels, Curiosities, etc at The Hirsel, Coldstream, The Property of the Right Hon. The Earl Home, K.T, London, June 1938, Central Hall, Upright Cabinet, p. 2.

This rare and intricate jewel was probably made in Southern Italy in the late 17th or 18th century. According to family records, the 'marriage purse' belonged to Jane Margaret Douglas, Lady Montagu (1779-1859), who 'could remember as a child the lady on whose wrists the purse was placed.'