Our countdown of your favorite tiaras begins with...
#15. Queen Victoria's Sapphire Coronet
My request for your favorite tiaras sparked a right royal campaign for one piece in particular: commenter Faerieeva dutifully promoted a wee sapphire gem from Queen Victoria’s stash. Well, Your Faerieness, you win. (Hey, I told you this wasn't a scientific poll.)
Design was among the many progressive interests of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, and that interest extended right into his wife’s jewelry collection. As the Queen herself wrote, “Albert has such taste and arranges everything for me about my jewels.” He designed several pieces of jewelry for her over the years, including this petite sapphire and diamond tiara that I will dub Queen Victoria’s Sapphire Coronet.
Likely inspired by a diadem from a portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria, the tiara was probably commissioned from Joseph Kitching in 1842 at a cost of £415. The sapphires - both cushion- and kite-shaped - are set in gold, and the diamonds are set in silver. I'm calling it a coronet because Queen Victoria referred to it as such in her own records, and because it does bear a resemblance to the base of those mini-crowns we associate with coronations.
Queen Victoria |
Princess Mary's wedding gift |
Princess Mary, the Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood |
The Countess of Harewood and Andrea Lascelles |
Unless it has been sold very quietly, we can assume that the family still has the tiara today. It must be noted here, however, that George Lascelles passed away in July 2011, and his son David has now inherited the title. As we know, inheritance taxes are usually a prime culprit in making families sell off their jewels. There is no doubt this piece and its significant history would fetch an absolutely enormous sum at auction.
Is this on your personal list of favorites?
Photos: V&A/Illustrated London News/Majesty/Geoffrey Munn