![An elaborate gold locket with pearls around one of its edges. It is open to reveal a portrait of a woman and of a boy.](https://nms-supercool.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Images/Discover/A-brief-history-of-James-VI-and-I/Penicuik-jewels-locket-of-Mary-Queen-of-Scots-and-James-VI-and-I.jpg?w=570&h=426&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1719572420&s=0e0b72dd317dda73997ae3f3fc0358b4)
Renaissance and Early Modern History
Our Renaissance and Early Modern collections contain objects relating to Scottish history from c.1450-1750.
This period encompasses the cultural developments of the Scottish Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the seismic events of the Union of the Crowns, the Covenanting Revolution, the Anglo-Scottish Union of 1707 and the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745.
Collections include decorative arts, jewellery, metalwork, furniture and weaponry, and objects relating to monarchical power, religion, trade and everyday life. Many of our objects were made in Scotland, but others were not, material evidence of the connections between Scotland, Europe and further afield.
Most notable are iconic pieces related to Mary, Queen of Scots, the Stewart kings, the Darien Venture, and the Jacobites. Star items include the Penicuik Jewels associated with Mary, a sword, targe and travelling canteen belonging to Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the awe-inspiring execution device, the Maiden, and the Company of Scotland’s large iron-bound chest related to the Darien Venture, the financially disastrous colonial scheme.
Meet the team
Renaissance and Early Modern History stories
- Discover
Memories of Nobles Amusements
In May 2024, National Museums Scotland recorded local memories of Nobles Amusements in Portobello, Edinburgh.Nobles Amusements has been a source of family entertainment for over a century. In the 1960s it made way for a new era of games… - Discover
Three tartan coats from the Georgian period
From military style jackets to informal housecoats, three tartan coats in our collection demonstrate the range of styles and uses of these garments in Georgian Britain. - Discover
Tartan cloaks from the Georgian period
Beyond the realms of Highland dress tailoring, Scottish tartan emerged as a popular fashion fabric in Georgian Britain. The cloth found its way into a variety of everyday and occasional garments, such as women’s cloaks, gowns and…