Favourite Royal Tiaras 1


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
Status
Not open for further replies.
Well, good people,

I must confess to spending many a happy moment here drooling. I guess we have run out of tiaras we would want to look at, however in another thread, in which I have waxed acidulous they are digging up every jeweled horror that ever sat on the head of any hag in Europe. Amazing. A beautiful tiara can make just about any woman look good, a beautiful woman look out of this world and a hideous monstrosity can do the exact and terrible opposite. I have been frustrated by having tried to go to certain cites and to see the things there xxxed out for some strange reason. In any case could those of you who still have goodies hidden away in your closets, rummage around in them and see what you can post to buoy my spirits? I would be grateful. The Fife tiara, anyone, cheers. Thomas Parkman
 
well, in any case here's the fife tiara for those who haven't seen it!!!!
pic courtesy Geoffrey Munn, from 'Tiaras A History of Splendour'

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Other than when Queen Mary had her Aunt's Tiara, the Cambridge Lovers Knot, copied, does anyone know of any other Tiara copied for another Royal/Princely House?
 
A Tiara for Thomas

Thomas Parkman said:
Well, good people,
...could those of you who still have goodies hidden away in your closets, rummage around in them and see what you can post to buoy my spirits? I would be grateful. The Fife tiara, anyone, cheers. Thomas Parkman
Click to expand...
Thomas, we've seen the Fife, time to move on. As it seems to be our job to keep your spirits buoyed, here's another artistic work which may fit the bill. In any case, I like it. :)

Courtesy of Geoffrey Munn's 'Tiaras A History of Splendour'
A wreath of twinned sprays of leaves and flowers. Made by Cartier in 1904 entirely of brilliant-cut diamonds, the larger brilliants are free-hanging and tremble at the slightest movement of the wearer. The tiara was last owned by the late Lord Howard of Henderskelfe, but I call it 'the breaking waves tiara'.

The Henderskelfe Cartier Tiara 1904

HenderskelfeTiaralarge.jpg
 
I'm surprised it's as old as 1904; it looks very art deco to me.

Are the hanging diamonds interchageable with other jewels? You could get a whole new look by hanging pearls or rubies instead.
 
Michelleq - I believe the fringe tiara dating from Qn. Victoria's reign, which can be worn as a necklace, has been copied - so has the Russian Kokoshnik tiara. And although the question is about tiaras, I am fairly certiain that the large pearl and diamond "festoon" necklace owned by the BRF and often worn by the late Queen Mother and QEII, has an almost exact counterpart in the DRF, and there are photos of both QMII wearing it. I think one has a pendant and one doesn't. I think this it exists in both collections because Princess Alexandra of Denmark was given the replica when she came to England to marry Kg. Edward VII, while the original remained in Denmark. I think it has a matching brooch and earrings, but I have to check this all out.
 
This thread has reconfirmed my opinion that the Bonapartes should have opened a jewelry store after their empire crumbled. Eugenie & Marie-Louise had the most beautiful jewels I have ever seen
 
The more that I see "Granny's Tiara" on Queen Elizabeth, the more I love it. I actually prefer it without the base.
 
Dear Warren,

Thank you for being kind enough to put up with my obsessions. Here they just call the little men in white coats who show up with needles drawn and I start to behave myself. The Henderskelfe tiara is magnificent indeed. With regard to the subject of the Fife, I was just hoping against hope to find a recent picture of somebody actually wearing the thing. I have noticed that looking at a picture of the object and seeing it on a warm, living body is all the difference in the world. But do keep up the good work. This forum makes the world a better place. Cheers. Thomas Parkman
 
At last, an amethyst tiara- and on a live body. I just amethysts. But the color has to be handled with great care and discretion. The tiara on the Grand Duchess is fine but rather mediocre in my opinion. The Queen Mother Elizabeth had an amethyst one but sold it. It was a bizarre combination of lovely and 19th century dorky ugly. Cheers. Thomas Parkman
 
my favourites:
Princess Mary's Floral Ruby Tiara (Crobis)


Princess Máxima's Star Diamond Tiara (Fotomarktplatz)


This one of Queen Elizabeth II looks stunning too! :) (Fotomarktplatz)
 
Dear Members:

Two things which nobody has mentioned but have always aroused my curiosity. In the bible, Geoffrey Munn presents a wonderful tiara of Italian origin made as if it were a wreathe of roses, all of gold with leaves of gold and the roses themselves made of sheet gold, which looks different and set with various precious and semiprecious stones. I wonder if anyone knows anything of it?

My second question is about a tiara he mentions called the wave tiara which was modeled on the idea of a famous Japanese artist's rendering of waves and is a masterpiece of the jewelers art, according to Munn. It has supposedly disappeared and may have even been broken up. I wonder if anybody has any information on that as well. A couple of historical who done its indeed. Pictures and or info would be gratefully appreciated. Cheers. Thomas Parkman
 
Thomas, Mr Munn's Bible is a massive tome. Give us chapter and verse (failing that, the page numbers will suffice) to make these pieces easier to locate.
There may be a pic in it for you. :)
 
Without a doubt, the laurel leaf crown worn by the CPss of Belgium. It's absolutely beautiful simplicity.
 
Dear Warren,

You are most patient and kind. But some idiot stole the copy of the Goffey Munn's book on tiaras from my county library. And it is not cheap. But still a masterpiece I have been debating about buying the thing for months and months. I will see if I can find the citations. I would tell you that I want to take the culprit and hang him, her or it by the toes over a pot of boiling sulphur. They also regulary steal the copies of Majesty and Royalty magazines. So much of the time I am not amused. But we will see. Cheers.
 
Thomas Parkman said:
Dear Members:

Two things which nobody has mentioned but have always aroused my curiosity. In the bible, Geoffrey Munn presents a wonderful tiara of Italian origin made as if it were a wreathe of roses, all of gold with leaves of gold and the roses themselves made of sheet gold, which looks different and set with various precious and semiprecious stones. I wonder if anyone knows anything of it?

My second question is about a tiara he mentions called the wave tiara which was modeled on the idea of a famous Japanese artist's rendering of waves and is a masterpiece of the jewelers art, according to Munn. It has supposedly disappeared and may have even been broken up. I wonder if anybody has any information on that as well. A couple of historical who done its indeed. Pictures and or info would be gratefully appreciated. Cheers. Thomas Parkman
Click to expand...

In the Book "Tiaras: A History of Splendour" by Geoffrey C. Munn:

- On page 23 (chapter 1) think there is a tiara that fits your first description. The tiara contains multiple roses made from sheet gold and according to the description on page 9, "the flower heads are set with turquoise, emeralds, pink topas, amethysts and pearls." It is written that the tiara was likely made in 1815 for Theresa, Queen of Bavaria, who was married to King Ludwig 1. In addition, it says that the stones stand for "love, hope, passion and devotion", and the pearl and rose are both "sacred to Venus". It is now part of a private collection.

- I believe the second tiara you referred to is described in chapter 9 on page 354. The tiara contains multiple waves set in diamonds and was made by Coulot for Boucheron in May 1910 (whereabouts unknown). The book notes that this design was "probably inspired by Hokusai's 'wave" and it is considered a masterpiece. There is a pic in the book.
 
Last edited:
For Thomas, 1​

Courtesy Geoffrey Munn "Tiaras A History of Splendour"

Boucheron Wave Tiara, c1910

BoucheronTiara1910.jpg
 
For Thomas, 2

Courtesy Geoffrey Munn "Tiaras A History of Splendour"

Queen Theresa of Bavaria Tiara, c1815

BavariaQueenTheresaTiara1815.jpg
 
Oh, mY God, this is my afternoon to be stunned. That Boucheron Wave tiara is simply breath taking. It has now probably been destroyed, which is an artistic tragedy. The picture in the bible did not convey nearly as effectively as this the artistic power of this masterpiece. It is a supreme example of the jeweler's art. The rose tiara is wonderful except that I think all those turquoises detract from it. I wish they had used another stone. All pink topaz, pink sapphires or even rubies for instance. What about pink diamonds??? But the design and idea are wonderful. The texture and colours of the two types of gold used is nothing short of striking. Thank you so much. Thomas Parkman
 
Why so many pearls ?

Ther is somthing i don´t get....why is ther always so pearls on so many royal tiaras ? If i was going to design a new tiara i woud juse alot of small and big diamants in it...ofcurse ther woud be a huge diamant in the front/middel of the tiara.:p
 
H.M. Margrethe said:
Ther is somthing i don´t get....why is ther always so pearls on so many royal tiaras ? If i was going to design a new tiara i woud juse alot of small and big diamants in it...ofcurse ther woud be a huge diamant in the front/middel of the tiara.:p
Click to expand...

I think when you've got to pay for all those diamonds (especially that "huge" one in the middle), then you'll find (probably to your shock and horror :eek: ) that unless you throw in a few pearls, you might not be able to afford something we could see jutting out above your hair...:D
 
HRHAmy said:
Does anybody have a better picture of this tiara?
Click to expand...
I think you'll be lucky to get a better pic than the one you already have.
It's always frustrating when a public event is covered by dozens of photographers, but with nary a decent tiara pic to show for the thousands of snaps.
 
Dear Members,

This thread is a breath of fresh air. The worst royal jewels brings out, well, the worst, -not to mention spleen-this the best. Could someone who is able to do these things-I am a computer mongoloid-kindly locate and post for the delectation of the membership the Cartier Indian tiara, which is to be found in a picture on the head of the late Princess Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. A most interesting contraption. Loaded with pearls and diamonds and just a hint of sapphires. Most interesting. I wonder what the members would think of it.

The other I would like to see is the Westminster spinel tiara that was originally owned by Princess Catherine something or other of Russia. it is a fabulous design set with spinels, a stone of which I am ambivalent. I have often wondered how the thing would look set in sapphires. A most interesting idea. And the design of the comb, of all things that went with it would make an interesting tiara as well. Cheers. Thomas Parkman
 
At the risk of diverting Mr. Parkman's attentions from this forum, may I recommend that you explore the outstanding German site for Royalty Magazine, a maze of diversions that will keep one occupied for hours. I daresay you'll find the tiaras you mentioned, and many more. Moreover, English translations frequently follow the German. http://www.royal-magazin.de/
 
Thomas Parkman said:
Oh, mY God, this is my afternoon to be stunned. That Boucheron Wave tiara is simply breath taking. It has now probably been destroyed, which is an artistic tragedy.
Click to expand...

My god, what monster would destroy such a masterpiece???? Makes me so mad!

Just STUNNING, Warren, both those tiaras, can't get my head around it, have never seen such a thing! Can't fathom that one of them doesn't exist anymore, such an exquisite piece, there's no equivalent anywhere else in the world! For shame, whoever destroyed it, For Shame!
 
Oh please don't tell me the wave tiara has been destroyed, do we know that for sure? If it is still around do we know who owns it? I have not read Munn's book yet (I know, shame on me! But, I have asked for it for our anniversary) and this is the first time I have seen this gorgeous piece. I wish these pieces of art could be in some way protected from dismantling but as they are often private property I suppose that's impossible. Sigh.
 
It is indeed a unique looking piece but not very attractive I think.

Personally, I would have no problem with melting it down and producing a piece that is far more attractive, but that's just me!

"MII"
 
Well I must agree that just because a jewel is beautiful or fascinating that doesn't mean it's necessarily very wearable. I would love to just look at the wave tiara but is a tiara really a tiara if it is not worn? Sort of like the old tree falling in the woods!
I need more coffee:p
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

carlota
Favourite tiaras
Replies
9
Views
935
maria-olivia
maria-olivia
CrownPrincessJava
Royal Ladies and their Similar or Same Style - Part 4
Replies
7
Views
2K
IloveCP
IloveCP
Marengo
Princess Caroline Jewellery 2, Oct 2023 -
Replies
7
Views
2K
sophie25
S
S
Jewels from the company Robert Koch Germany
Replies
1
Views
937
Marc23
M
Toledo
Empire and Kingdom of Haiti
Replies
1
Views
1K
Toledo
Toledo

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom