There are objects that hold their history so completely you can feel it when you look at them.
The Tudor Heart Pendant is one of them: one of the most extraordinary jewels of the Tudor age, the piece s a rare, enamelled pendant crafted from 24-carat gold, associated with Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. The original features a Tudor rose entwined with Katherine's pomegranate emblem, alongside the initials "H" and "K" — symbolising the royal couple. It is unlike any other object in the British Museum collection, or anywhere else in the United Kingdom. It is currently on display in Room 2: Collecting the World, next to the Grenville Gift Shop in the British Museum.
It's the kind of piece that stops you in your tracks, hundreds of years on.
It was discovered quite by accident by a metal detectorist who was ready to call it a day. I feel so very honoured to have been asked to create a scarf to celebrate the find of a lifetime.
When the British Museum invited me to reimagine this incredible piece of history as a silk accessory, it felt less like a commercial commission and more like an exciting storytelling journey — taking something that has survived for centuries and translating it into wearable art. What a joy to be part of something far greater than yourself. Also, it is the ultimate vintage jewellery. (Yes, I am that visitor who visits the gift shop before entering the museum.)
From pendant to silk
Every piece I make starts the same way: with an inspiring story. I collaborated closely with the absolutely brilliant, collaborative Museum team to develop the motifs, colour way, hidden surprises to tell its story, and contemporary painterly feel of the scarf. It was a joy and an honour to work on this piece, from the beginning sketches to the final brushstrokes.
You will find little motifs in the scarf hidden throughout, it is a little treasure trove to be enjoyed no matter how it is folded, worn or displayed.
Learn more about how the Tudor Heart Pendant was discovered
Watch the discovery video (British Museum video)
Learn more about this incredible piece of jewellery (British Museum video)
The hand painted, ethically printed and hand sewn result is a piece of wearable art in 100% mulberry silk. As always, I design and hand-paint the artwork in Dorking, print on silk in the North of England, and hand sew in France. We follow the same process for every Kathy Kyle Studio piece, whether it's a commission for a national institution, a heritage brand, or a scarf crafted for a private client to pass down to the next generation. That's always been the point of what we do: pieces that are made to be kept, not worn once and forgotten.
The artwork was created with Faber-Castell pencils, Micron pens, and Sennelier, Caran d'Ache, Kuretake, and Charvin watercolour paints. I paint on arches watercolour cold and hot pressed paper. I print on 100% mulberry silk and all scarves are hand rolled and sewn. I hand drew all of our hand-sewn labels and they are also printed in the UK. Our boxes and acid-free paper are all produced sustainably in the UK. Our swing tags are also printed sustainably in the UK.
Where to find it
The scarf is now on display and exclusively available at the British Museum Grenville Gift Shop, and will shortly be available through the British Museum's online shop, where the museum's own photography and story will bring the silk scarf itself to life alongside the Tudor Heart pendant.
We are also doing a photoshoot with our team in the coming weeks for our show in Paris and will include our scarf in the line-up. The scarf may be viewed in Dorking, at our shop in Sandrock House.
A piece with a past and a future
What draws me to work like this is what I think draws people to museums in the first place: our shared history and stories. Thanks to the Tudor Heart appeal, the pendant now has a home at the British Museum. Reimagining the Tudor Heart Pendant in silk is our way of keeping that life and story going — worn and cherished forever, by everyone.
Now available exclusively at the British Museum Gift Shop. Find it online soon at The British Museum Gift Shop.
***
Kathy Kyle Studio is an ethical luxury brand turning personal stories into wearable heirlooms, silk scarves, clothing and stationery. Following an award-winning career in communications, marketing and PR, Kathy founded the studio in 2025. In its first year, the brand secured investment, showed at London Fashion Week, landed a leading London stationery stockist, and was commissioned to design an exclusive scarf for the British Museum. Every design is hand-painted by Kathy, printed ethically in the UK, and finished by hand: scarves rolled and sewn in France, garments sewn in the UK. Visit at Sandrock House - 5 West Street, Dorking, Surrey.