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#PocahontasNecklace #HistoricJewelry #OlympiaAuctions #DorothyNevilleRolfe #NativeAmericanHeritage #PocahontasLegacy #ColonialHistory #RolfeFamilyHeirloom #LegendaryNecklace #CulturalHistory #HistoricArtifacts #AntiqueJewelry #PocahontasDescendant #NativeAmericanArt #HistoricAuction
A historic necklace with a direct link to Pocahontas, one of the most iconic figures in American history, is set to be auctioned at Olympia Auctions in the UK. The necklace once belonged to Dorothy Neville-Rolfe (1904–1976), a direct descendant of Pocahontas, who was also known as Rebecca Rolfe (1596–1617). Pocahontas, whose name means “playful one” in the Powhatan language, was a pivotal figure in early American history. She was the daughter of Powhatan, the paramount chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, a powerful alliance of Native American tribes in the Tidewater region of Virginia.
Pocahontas’s story is deeply intertwined with the early colonial history of America. She is best known for her association with English colonists, particularly her marriage to John Rolfe (c. 1585–1622), an English tobacco planter. Rolfe traveled to Virginia to cultivate tobacco and became successful by developing a sweeter strain of tobacco that could be exported. Pocahontas was captured by English colonists in 1613 during a conflict with the Powhatan people. During her captivity, she converted to Christianity, was baptized as Rebecca, and married John Rolfe in 1614. Their son, Thomas Rolfe, was born in 1615.
In 1616, the couple traveled to England as guests of the Virginia Company to promote colonization and investment in Virginia. Pocahontas was presented to English society as a symbol of peaceful relations and cultural assimilation between Native Americans and colonists. Tragically, Pocahontas fell ill and died in 1617 at the age of 21, just as she and Rolfe were preparing to return to Virginia. She was buried at St. George’s Church in Gravesend, Kent. The church was later rebuilt, and a bronze statue of Pocahontas by American sculptor William Ordway Partridge (1861–1930) stands there today.
The necklace being auctioned was passed down through the Rolfe family, offering a tangible connection to this historic cross-cultural story. The necklace features a design evocative of Native American heritage, with oval hardstones of malachite, lapis lazuli, and jasper, as well as a zoomorphic pendant of Olmec design and a serpent clasp. This unique piece was purchased in Italy in 1894 to mark Dorothy Neville-Rolfe’s 21st birthday.
Justin Roberts, a specialist at Olympia Auctions, highlighted the necklace’s significance, stating, “This is a striking and unusual necklace in its own right. However, its fascinating lineage, linking it to one of the most compelling figures of early America and Britain’s shared past, only adds to its appeal and interest.” The necklace will be featured in Olympia Auctions’ Jewellery & Watches sale on May 22, with an estimated value of £2,000–£3,000 (lot 638).
The story of Pocahontas and her descendants is emblematic of the complex and often fraught relationships between Native Americans and European colonists during the early colonial period. Her marriage to John Rolfe was a symbol of potential reconciliation and cooperation, though her untimely death marked the end of her personal efforts to bridge the divide. The necklace serves as a poignant reminder of her legacy and the enduring connections between her descendants and this pivotal chapter in history. Its upcoming auction offers collectors and history enthusiasts a rare opportunity to own a piece of this remarkable heritage.
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