The Romanov Sapphire Cabochons: A Royal Legacy
The captivating story of the Romanov sapphire cabochons traces a lineage steeped in imperial elegance and regal tradition. These exquisite gems, once belonging to Grand Duchess Anastasia, granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, embody a fascinating connection between the Romanovs, the German and the Danish royal family.
Originally part of Grand Duchess Anastasia’s dowry,when she married the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, these illustrious sapphires found their way into the collection of her daughter, Queen Alexandrine of Denmark. The Queen often adorned her corsage with these stunning sapphire cabochons or wore them suspended on an elegant long diamond chain, a testament to her refined taste and regal poise.
Upon Queen Alexandrine’s passing in 1950, the sapphires were inherited by her son, King Frederik IX of Denmark. Eight years later, in 1958, King Frederik and Queen Ingrid presented the magnificent marquise-shaped sapphire pendant to their eldest daughter, Crown Princess Margrethe, as a memorable gift for her coming of age.
By 1967, the remaining sapphires were skillfully reimagined into a dazzling diamond necklace, accompanied by a pair of sapphire earrings. This reassembled set was gifted to Princess Margrethe on the occasion of her marriage to Count Henri Laborde de Monpezat, adding a touch of imperial splendor to the royal wedding.
Today, the Romanov sapphires form a breathtaking parure, comprising a necklace, earrings, a versatile sapphire pendant-brooch, and decorative oval sapphire brooches. Encased in luminous diamonds, the cabochon sapphires continue to exude their timeless allure, connecting past generations with the present.
Like many treasures in Queen Alexandrine’s collection, these sapphires are believed to have originated in Russia, reflecting the illustrious heritage of the Romanovs. The story of these jewels serves as a glittering reminder of the enduring ties between royal families and the unparalleled craftsmanship that brought their legacy to life.
From courtly gatherings to modern royal occasions, the Romanov sapphire cabochons remain a symbol of opulence and historical significance, shining brightly in Denmark’s royal vaults.
Queen Alexandrine is pictured with the sapphire as stomacher and a Diamond Fringe Tiara. The Russian kokoshnik that she had inherited from her mother was made by Bolin in St. Petersburg as a wedding present for her mother from her uncle Zar Alexander II. In its case there is a small note handwritten by Queen Alexandrine saying in Danish: "I inherited this tiara from my mother who got it as a wedding present from Zar Alexander II. All Russian Grand Duchesses got such a tiara. I gave it to my son, Knud, on the 26. of April 1941" (her wedding day). But she kept wearing it herself till her death in 1952. Prince Knud got it and she had also decided that his son Ingolf should have it. Queen Alexandrine died before it was decided by a plebiscite that Margrethe would become the next monarch.
Those sapphires belonged to Queen Alexandrine's mother, Grand Duchess Anastasia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Grand Duchess of Russia.
The sapphires are beautiful and the setting in diamonds set in silver and placed on a golden frame so the silver does not touch the human skin is the most perfect work I have ever seen.
They were used in the necklace for Queen Margrethe made by Court Jeweller Michelsen in Copenhagen in 1967. All Queen Margrethe's sapphires here are Russian Her Majesty has told me. They can be taken apart and used as brooches.
Alexandrine had got a necklace in sapphires and diamonds from Zar Nicholas II and Zarina Alexandra as a wedding present in 1898.
Those sapphires were later used for a set of jewellery given to Princess Caroline-Mathilde in 1933 when she married Prince Knud.
The sapphires and diamonds could be used as a necklace or placed in a tiara. Now the sapphires and diamonds are set in the altered tiara that belongs then, to Count Christian, Prince Knud's youngest son. It was sold and is in a private danish collection.
Count Ingolf has now the diamond kokoshnik tiara, the fringe diadem from above, a bandeau in diamonds, a set of diamond eardobs, a sapphire and diamond spray brooch, a meander in diamonds (a wedding present to Queen Alexandrine from her grand father, Grand Duke Michael Nicholajewitch of Russia), pearl necklaces and bracelets, sapphire brooch, diamond art deco pendant (given to Princess Caroline-Mathilde by King Christian and Queen Alexandrine when Ingolf was born) see in the picture, a golden bangle from the Emperor Haile Selassie, a brooch from King Christian IX and a lot more.
Count Christian has the sapphire tiara, sapphire eardobs, pearl necklaces and bracelets, a turquiose pendant, the small tiara that was made of an ear of wheat, a ruby bracelet (now a small tiara) and a lot more. He also had a Russian cross pendant that was sold.
When Queen Alexandrine's mother died in 1922 the "Fürstenenteignung" in Germany was not yet settled so her brother and sister let Queen Alexandrine inherit everything so that it would be an international diplomacy matter. They believed so! Of course they parted their mother's belongings privately. This Duke Christian Ludwig, Queen Alexandrine's nephew, once told it.
Thank you to Bjarne for this informations.
Sources:St James's Gazette - Wednesday 27 April 1898, Abergavenny Chronicle - Friday 29 April 1898 Rasmussen
