Jewels of Anne of Denmark
The jewels of Anne of Denmark (1574–1619), wife of James VI and I and queen consort of Scotland and England, are known from accounts and inventories, and their depiction in portraits by artists including Paul van Somer. A few pieces survive. Some modern historians prefer the name "Anna" to "Anne", following the spelling of numerous examples of her signature.
Anne of Denmark, depicted with a diamond aigrette and pearl hair attire, by John de Critz, 1605
Anne of Denmark, by Nicholas Hilliard
Anne of Denmark, after Paul van Somer, RCT
Margaret Hay, Countess of Dunfermline wears a jewel with an "AR" cipher, Marcus Gheeraerts the younger, Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Paul van Somer, also known as Paulus van Somer, was a Flemish artist who arrived in England from Antwerp during the reign of King James I of England and became one of the leading painters of the royal court. He painted a number of portraits both of James and his consort, Queen Anne of Denmark, and of nobles such as Ludovic Stuart, Duke of Lennox, Elizabeth Stanley, Countess of Huntingdon, and Lady Anne Clifford. He is sometimes designated as "Paul van Somer I" to distinguish him from the engraver of the same name who was active in England between 1670 and 1694.
Sir Francis Bacon by Paul van Somer I (1617), Palace on the Isle in Warsaw.