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    Indian Ruby, Lasque, Pearl and Enamel Tiara. Archived Message

    Posted by Boffer on May 11, 2012, 8:25 pm

    In the course of my research, I stumbled across an entry from the 1896 inventory of Queen Victoria's Jewels, which notes records:

    "A ruby, lasque and pearl tiara with enamel portrait at the back. Left to the Duchess of Albany".

    (Quoted from Munn, p. 422).
    (Note: "lasque" means an un-faceted diamond).

    This reminded me of the Indian tiara recently discovered on the Royal Collection website, which is described as:

    "A ruby, diamond and pearl tiara formed from twelve gold, tear-shaped sections mounted with diamonds and rubies, on a gold and pearl band, with enamel portraits at back".



    I believe that this is a pretty conclusive match.
    It is of note that the Royal Collection state that it was "Presented to Queen Victoria". From whom it was bequeathed to the Duchess of Albany. However by 1924 it had been returned into the Royal Collection when it was "placed among Indian Collection belonging to Crown by King George V".

    http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/11356

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