The diamond and pearl tiara of Queen Marie of Hanover, is made of rectagle spaces of large diamonds and give a frame for eight free hanging pearshaped pearls, from large to smaller items. It's not a loversknot tiara, the frame of diamonds are without knots and scrolls, but build of collets on a base.
The Queen of Hanover wore also a pair of six-row pearl bracelet with diamond clasp and a large brooch with smaller pearls as center and with a big single drop pearl as pendant. Similar smaller brooches are on the side of the shoulders. Matching earrings with pearl penants and leaves are seen in the picture. And a exquisite double row pearl necklace is on her neck. She hold an fan with diamond setting in her hand. The Queen of Hanover was painted in the year 1855.
About the Hanoverian Heirloom, a parliamentary commission was set up to investigate the matter and in 1857 they found in favour of the House of Hanover. On 28 January 1858, 10 years after Ernest's death, the jewels were handed to the Hanoverian Ambassador, Count Erich von Kielmansegg, so Marie Queen of Hanover, was not pictured with the Hanoverian heirlooms. The items which are in Queen Victoria's possessian are:
Two brilliant Sleeve Bow Brooches,
A pair of three dropped brilliant Earrings.
A pair of single dopped brilliant Earrings, set with several brilliants at the back.
A large stoned brilliant necklace; and a brilliant cross, seen in the link as tiara and necklace
A large brilliant Stomacher.
A beautifully set brilliant Crown, small, to put on the head-dress, the nuptial crown.
A large pearl Necklace, not this above.
Princess Maria of Saxe-Altenburg 1818-1907 was the eldest daughter of Joseph, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and Duchess Amelia of Württemberg. In 1843 she married George, Crown Prince of Hanover, with whom she had three children; Prince Ernest Augustus, Princess Frederica, and Princess Marie. The couple became King and Queen of Hanover upon the death of George's father, Ernest Augustus I, on 18 November 1851.
She was the godmother to Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, daughter of the latter's third daughter, Princess Helena.
*****