I’ve only recently heard of the Cheapside Hoard, “an unprecedented collection of jewelry from the late 16th and early 17th century discovered in 1912 by workers demolishing the Wakefield House in Cheapside, London, near St. Paul’s Cathedral.” (You can read an extended history of the find, courtesy of The History Blog. Quite informative!)
My favorite piece so far is a fabulous watch, carved from an emerald crystal, shown to the right.
The Cheapside Hoard will be exhibited in its entirety starting this fall, at the Museum of London, with all pieces reunited for the first time since their discovery. If the collection photographs are any indication, it should be a feast for the eyes! Check it out in person from 11 October 2013 through 27 April 2014.
Update: There’s also a lovely book