Medieval lovers' brooch

The original of this attractive gold brooch is set alternately with rubies and sapphires. It was a lover's gift; the reverse has the old French inscription 'Io sui ici en lui dami: Amo' - 'I am here in place of the friend I love'. The brooch is likely to have been made in England and dates to the 13th century. Moulded from the original in the Department of Medieval and Early Europe.