Prince Alemayehu’s Necklace (1868) and Priest's Robe (1800s)

Prince Alemayehu

Prince Alemayehu Tewodros (1861–1879) was an Ethiopian prince, the son of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia. After his father’s defeat by British forces in 1868, Alemayehu was taken to Britain, where he was educated under royal protection. Despite receiving care and schooling, he struggled with loneliness and poor health while living far from his homeland. He died young, at about 18 years old, and was buried at Windsor Castle. Today, Prince Alemayehu is remembered as a symbol of Ethiopia’s encounter with European imperial power and the personal cost of exile during that period.

(Source: Wikipedia)

priest's shirt

Class: Shirt

Dimensions: W. 63 3/4 In. x H. 52 3/4 In. (162 cm x 134 cm) 

Medium: Silk, Cotton, and Lace

Descriptions: This priest’s shirt is made of finely woven cotton, valued for its lightness and suitability to warm climates. The garment is cut in a simple, rectilinear form with extended sleeves, emphasizing ease of movement and efficient use of fabric, characteristics often associated with ceremonial dress. The neck opening is decorated with silk embroidery and lace, combining structural reinforcement with visual refinement. The use of silk—an imported and prestigious material—highlights the ritual significance of the garment and the status of its wearer. Variations in the cotton’s tone and texture suggest hand production and long-term use.

(Source: The British Museum Website)

Prince Alemayehu's necklace

Class: Jewelry - Necklace

Dimensions: W. 10 5/8 In. x H. 14 9/16 In. x D 1/2 In. (27 cm x 37 cm x 1.3 cm) 
Medium: Silk, Glass, and Silk

Descriptions: This necklace was worn by Prince Alamayu during childhood. It is composed of twenty-three hollow, tear-drop–shaped silver pendants, each decorated at the lower end with three vertical incised lines and pierced with a small hole at the back. The pendants are threaded onto a blue silk cord. Between each silver element are red and white glass millefiori beads, six of which incorporate additional blue coloring, while two are made of a darker red glass. The ends of the blue silk cord are finished with simple knots. The combination of silver, glass, and silk reflects both skilled craftsmanship and the ceremonial or symbolic value of the necklace.

(Source: The British Museum Website)