The Devonshire Tiara

The Devonshire Tiara, on display in Treasures from Chatsworth the Exhibition at Sotheby’s headquarters in New York. The Devonshire Tiara, a remarkable example of Victorian jewelry, is a treasure that has been passed down and worn by generations of Cavendish ladies. The tiara was made in 1865 for Lady Louisa Egerton, née Cavendish, to be…

The Duchess of Devonshire’s Diamond Tiara

Her Grace Deborah Vivien Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire (March 31, 1920 – September 24, 2014), née Deborah Freeman-Mitford, was the last of the noted Mitford sisters. She married Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire in 1941. The formidable Duchess turning a pensive gaze towards the viewer, wears the diamond diadem together with a quantity of the…

Pomp and circumstance: The Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara

The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara was created at the beginning of the 19th century, possibly in Germany, for Princess Augusta of Hesse Cassel, Duchess of Cambridge The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara was made in the early 19th century, possibly in Germany, for Princess Augusta of Hesse Cassel, Duchess of Cambridge. It passed to her daughter,…

The Emerald Jewels of the French Empress Marie-Louise

Imperial Emerald Parure of Marie-Louise Empress of FranceMagnificent Colombian emeralds in a Van Cleef & Arpels brooch and ring originally from a diadem belonging to the Empress Marie-Louise were sold at auction on Tuesday last week (19/10/99) at Christies in New York.The emperor presented this diadem to Marie-Louise as part of an emerald and diamond…

A Diamond Tiara and Necklace, 1880s

A diamond tiara and necklace, 1880s Designed as a relatively short compact fringe, the slightly tapered form composed of 23 knife-edge bars each applied with a curved V-shape diamond-set motif and surmounted by an old-cut diamond in claw setting and interspersed with shorter bars topped with graduated old cut diamonds. All are set above a…

Royal & Aristocratic Tiaras

Royal & Aristocratic Tiaras A diamond and pearl tiara, Garrard & Co. Modelled on the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, formed as recurring intertwined knot motifs representing eternity, with a scalloped silhouette and radiating rows of freshwater pearls, set throughout with brilliant-, circular-cut, and pear-shaped diamonds, inner length approximately 355mm. Total diamond weight 15.73 carats 18 carat…