Amethyst Halsband - Collier Tiara Diadem der Königin Alexandra von England
Das Diamant Halsband oder Collier mit fünf, achteckig facettierten
Amethysten, wurde um 1900 hergestellt und kann auch als Diadem getragen
werden.
Es stammt aus der Schmuckkassette der englischen Königin Alexandra
und hat 13 Altschliff-Diamanten von zusammen 8,5 ct, weitere 69 Diamanten
haben 10ct und weitere Diamanten und Diamantrosen von 5ct sind in Silber
und Gold entlang der Girlanden gefasst.
Im Bild links die Enkeltochter von Königin Alexandra,die den Schmuck
anlässlich eines formalen Anlasses 1937 trug:
Lady Maud Duff-Carnegie, Gräfin von Southesk
Lady Maud Carnegie, Princess Maud (Alexandra Victoria Bertha), Countess
of Southesk (1893-1945), née Lady Maud Duff, grand-daughter of
King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra; wife of Charles Alexander Carnegie,
11th Earl of Southesk (1893) wearing the amethysts necklace and the
amethysts tiara (bad retouch) in a formal occasion (left).
It’s not known how Princess Maud came to be in possession of the
jewels, because it wasn’t the wedding-gift from her grandmother
Queen Alexandra. Perhaps the princess received it from her mother HRH
the Princess Royal as part of her inheritance upon the Princess Royal’s
death. Queen Alexandra died intestate which means that she had no will.
According to James Pope-Hennessy, Queen Mary's official biographer,
the jewels were split up informally amongst her surviving children.
Queen Mary and King George took as their share the jewels which had
been given to Queen Alexandra as wedding gifts such as the Prince of
Wale's “Rundell” tiara and parure and significant gifts from
civic bodies.
The necklace above, is designed of foliate garlands decorated
with 5 hexagonal amethysts set as swing centers within circular wreaths,
alternating with pear-shaped scrolls, set with 13 old European-cut diamonds
weighing approximately 8.50 carats, 69 old European-cut diamonds weighing
approximately 10.00 carats and numerous smaller old-mine and rose-cut
diamonds weighing approximately 5.00 carats, mounted in silver and gold,
length 17 inches.
The necklace, when supported on a frame, may also be worn as a tiara.
It has a wooden box of octagonal shape stamped on the lid: The Property
of Her Majesty The Late Queen Alexandra.
The jewel was purchased from Wartski in 1958 as part of the collection
of jewels of Queen Alexandra and auctioned in the years 1988 and 2007(U$
115'000 4th December ). However, the necklace/tiara was first auctioned
on 26 June 1946 at Christies, along with other jewels from the late
Countess of Southesk’s collection.
Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925) was Princess of Wales from 1863 until
1901 after which she became Queen Consort to Edward VII of the United
Kingdom and also Empress of India. After the death of her Edward VII
in 1910, she became the Queen Mother as both queen and the mother of
the reigning monarch George V.
The mystery Amethyst and Sapphires Tiara
To solve the provenance of the tiara on the left, we could read in
"The Scotsman 21 June 1946" the following pre-auction report:
Tiara that came from a Tsar
Among jewels of the late Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk, to
be sold at Christie’s June 26,
are two tiaras;
a necklace;
and a sapphire and diamond collar that was formerly worn by Queen Alexandra.
The text from the auction:
The important diamond and amethyst tiara was composed of seven single
oval amethysts graduating from the centre to lozm flowers, supported
by twin leaves and single diamonds within a graduated oval diamond frame,
each intersected by diamond bars, with single diamond tops, and supported
by twin diamond semi-circles, with single line diamond base.
Probably the tiara was versatile and used from Queen Alexandra, to wore the diamond clusters with cabochons of here imperial sapphire collar as a tiara>> compare on the left.
As well as on top, from Lady Southesk, with larger amethysts.(RoyalJeweloftheWorldMessageBoard Beth4.2.2016)
The beautiful diamond and amethyst tiara,and the sapphire and diamond
collar, were both gifts to her from Tsar Alexander III., and bequeathed
from her to the Duchess of Fife, mother of Lady Southesk, from whom
the late owner inherited them.The diamond and amethyst necklace was
specially designed to the order of Queen Alexandra.
The report from the auction in The Scotsman 27 June 1946:
Jewels owned by the late Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk realized
£10,989.
Her sapphire and diamond collar, which had been the gift of the Czar
of Russia to Queen Alexandra and bequeathed by her to the Duchess of
Fife, brought £4900 and a diamond and amethyst tiara, also
the gift of the Czar to the late Queen and bequeathed to the Duchess,
sold for £1750 more about >>
The diamond and amethyst necklace which had been specially made
for Queen Alexandra, £580 (above).
Queen Alexandra's gift to Princess Maud on her wedding, a diamond, turquoise
and pearl tiara, went for £380; and a diamond flexible
bracelet, £520.
Special thanks to Laura, and Uwe for his help!
Queen Alexandras Wedding gifts:
more jewels :
Jewels of Queen Victorias daughters, granddaughters
and daughters-in-law
Mountbatten Tiara
Queen Mary Jewels
