Eternal Wreath of Flowers

Floral Tiara With 16.76 ct of Diamonds in Gold & Silver, c. 1890

€ 49,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Floral Tiara With 16.76 ct of Diamonds in Gold & Silver, c. 1890

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Even in ancient times, young women wore wreaths woven with fresh flowers. However, with the spread of Christianity from the Middle Ages onwards, these floral wreaths fell into oblivion, as they were associated with pagan customs. It was only after the French Revolution that brides, in particular, once again adorned their hair with flower wreaths. This beautiful tradition even reached the highest echelons of society: In 1840, Queen Victoria married her beloved Prince Albert, wearing a wreath of fresh orange blossoms in her hair. It was February, and these fragrant blooms had been specially procured for the occasion. In the following years, a great deal of jewellery was created in the form of various flowers. Made from wax and porcelain, but also from precious stones, headpieces were crafted not only for brides but also for a variety of festive occasions. The diadem in question appears like an eternal homage to the floral wreath: it consists of vines with small and large blossoms, from which teardrop-shaped elements dangle like dewdrops. A total of 493 diamonds, weighing approximately 16.76 carats, adorn each blossom and vine, and with every movement, several of the gemstones catch the light at just the right angle to radiate white brilliance and fiery sparkle. Through both its design and choice of materials, the diadem can be dated to around 1890. The craftsmanship in silver on gold, the large old cut diamonds, the so-called knife wires, and even the slightly oriental-looking forms in the smaller blossoms are all characteristic of that era. While, by 1900, diadems had already conformed to the cool neoclassicism of laurel garlands, the late 19th century saw a final flourish of opulent vines, extravagant forms, and floral motifs. No longer reserved for the aristocracy, women of the affluent bourgeoisie – provided they had the means, the confidence, and a love of fine jewellery – also wore diadems to dazzling evening events, shimmering in the glow of the first electric lights. Even today, the diadem has the power to transport the splendour and romantic spirit of the Belle Époque into our time. It is almost emblematic of its era, characterised by grandeur, joie de vivre, and a genuine appreciation for beauty. We are therefore delighted to present to you an exceptionally exquisite example of this now almost vanished type of jewellery. This piece came to us from the English Midlands and is in pristine condition. Please see David Bennet/Daniela Mascetti: Understanding Jewellery, Woodbridge 2010, pp. 206 f. for similar pieces.

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With the invention of gaslight and then electric light at the end of the 19th century, glistening brightness suddenly filled the ballrooms of Europe. No longer dark, yellow candlelight, but the white glow of hundreds of lamps made the ladies' jewellery shine and glitter as never before. No wonder that as a result of these developments, a new fashion also emerged: white jewels made of diamonds and silver responded to the new lighting conditions and replaced the previous more colourful designs. In general, jewellery was increasingly richly set with sparkling gems to create an ever more luxurious and rich appearance. At the great balls in Paris, London and St. Petersburg, ever more magnificent diamond necklaces were presented, as well as tiaras, brooches and rings, all dreams in white diamonds.

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Size & Details

Eternal Wreath of Flowers

€ 49,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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Eternal Wreath of Flowers

Objet d’art

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