Wauw Lorenzo, you just made my day. I simply love when there are airlooms like this in a family.
I also have a few tiaras from my family, inherited throug generations. They are paste, but stil very beautiful. Two of them also misses the frame. But one day they will shine at a fantastic event again.
--Previous Message-- : Thank you to all for your interest and : comments. The box includes a secret space : under the velvet, with various elements, not : all easy to understand. One is an additional : 12 cm. chain, probably to lower the : necklace. Then a small broche fitting and a : long one (more similar to a long pin, with : an articulated screw on the top), a : screwdriver (actually hollow), and finally a : tiny spiral, like a pig's tail, also with a : screw on one side. The use of this last is : obscure to me, it might be to convert the : broche into a pendant. : Notwithstanding the image that I posted, : that shows the central part as very : protruding on the top, once you have the : object in your hands and you articulate it : as a circle, the four smoller prongs with : drop diamonds are much more equilibrated : with, and on a similar level to, the central : one than you may think. : I have sent the photo to Bonebakker and they : are looking into their archive, that has : been deposited with some public institution, : as it was declared of historical interest. : Probably the best thing would be to take the : object to them, have all the elements : explained and request an estimate, even if I : do not know whether they have the same type : of craftmanship and ability to deal with : such an object as they had in the turn of : the XX century. : Thank you again to all for the comments and : advise. : : --Previous Message-- : As gorgeous as this necklace is, with some : serious diamonds, I wonder if it would : really work as a tiara; Rotate the picture : and you'll see what I mean. The middle part : of it might look a bit awkward, even if you : remove the pedant from it. I can see though : that that middle part does make a : spectacular brooch! Do you still have the : little screwdriver with it? : : --Previous Message-- : I would like to know the opinion of you : experts in this board. My family owns a : Belle Époque "multi-purpose" : necklace by the Dutch royal jeweler : Bonebakker, that used to be convertible into : broach/pendant or a tiara, but the tiara : frame is lost. Even if there are no : opportunities to wear it as a tiara (apart : from a family wedding, not in sight) I would : like to have it completed. I assume that : going to the original maker or another : "royal" jeweler would cost more : than the value of the piece. Would you go to : any jeweler, or just keep it as it is? : : : : :
on March 4, 2014, 11:24 am, in reply to "