Rare Amber Pendant with Queen Elizabeth I Portrait Expected to be Auctioned for 20 Times the Price it Was Originally Sold For

A rare amber pendant, hailing from the Tudor period and featuring an intricate carving of Queen Elizabeth I, is set to make a significant splash at auction. Sotheby’s has announced that the artefact, believed to have been crafted around 1600, may sell for an extraordinary amount, with estimates reaching as high as £150,000, equating to approximately $199,285.

The heart-shaped pendant, which also features a parrot — a symbol of Elizabeth’s virginity — was originally auctioned in November 2025 for just £5,588, or around $7,350, at an event in Edinburgh, Scotland. Now, it finds itself in the spotlight again, as it prepares to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in July, with expectations of it fetching twenty times its previous sale price.

The piece is crafted from amber and showcases a cameo-style carving of the late queen on one side. The pendant’s design is believed to be inspired by a widely circulated engraving created by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, based on an original portrait by the artist Isaac Oliver drawn from life in the late 16th century. The inscription on the pendant reads ‘Elisabet.D.G.Ang.Fran.Hib.Et.Vir.Regi.F.D’, which translates to ‘Elizabeth by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France, and Ireland.’

Experts from Sotheby’s have marvelled at the craftsmanship of the pendant, noting its remarkable detail, clarity of carving, and the finesse of its decorative border. They have attributed the piece to the skilled artisans, likely Hans Klingenberg or Georg Schreiber from Prussia, who were known for their virtuoso techniques. The pendant measures approximately 4 cm in height and 3 cm in width.

This exceptional artefact was sourced from the historic Poltalloch House in Argyll and eventually became part of the renowned Malcolm family collection, coming into their possession nearly 300 years after Elizabeth I’s death in 1603. Highlighting the pendant’s significance, Sotheby’s noted that John Malcolm, 1st Baron Malcolm of Poltalloch, was one of the most prominent collectors of the 19th century in Britain.

Geoffrey Munn, an antiques expert and host of Antiques Roadshow, underscored the pendant’s importance in a statement, describing it as an extraordinary representation of Elizabeth I’s sovereignty. Munn stated that the heart-shaped design of the piece resonates with Elizabeth’s self-proclaimed marriage to her realm, while the parrot symbolically serves to reinforce her identity as a virgin queen.

Further elaborating, Munn explained that in the later years of Elizabeth’s life, her celibate status became a pivotal part of her political image. The seemingly arbitrary choice of the parrot as a decorative motif is a clever nod to her virtue, reinforcing her image as the ‘Virgin Queen.’

Throughout the late 16th and early 17th centuries, amber held a special significance, particularly among the nobility. It was often believed that amber possessed properties beneficial to health and could even alert wearers to danger by emitting a scent in the presence of poison. This belief added to the allure of the material, making amber jewellery especially coveted among royalty.

Queen Elizabeth I ruled England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603, famously abstaining from marriage and thereby leaving no direct heirs to the throne. This decision marked the end of the Tudor dynasty, leading to a transition of power to King James VI of Scotland, the son of Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.

The upcoming auction of the amber pendant certainly adds a layer of intrigue to the historical narrative surrounding Queen Elizabeth I, highlighting both her personal symbolism and the artistry of the era. As collectors and history enthusiasts prepare for July’s bidding, the fascination with this exquisite piece of royal history continues to grow, as does its estimated value on the auction block.