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    Re: A new mystery tiara for Queen Mary? Archived Message

    Posted by Beth1 on August 12, 2016, 5:46 pm, in reply to "Re: A new mystery tiara for Queen Mary?"

    Congratulations on such an interesting find Airgrette. What a treat for us!

    I suspect Airgrette may have found another tiara, but whether it is an amethyst or sapphire tiara is something I cannot decide from the photo.

    I think that the principal thing we need to keep in mind is that this artist, Kristian Krekovic, painted in extraordinary detail. That characteristic can be seen from a photo of the entire portrait. Please scroll down this site http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9741/1/Kristian-Krekovic-portrayed-Mahatma-Gandhi-Queen-Mother-King-Gustav-V-etc.html to see a black and white photo.

    Other posters mention amethysts, possibly alluding to Queen Mary's amethyst tiara.



    The first reason why I don't think this is the same tiara is that Krekovic has depicted cabochon stones. Queen Mary's tiara has faceted stones - if the following is QM's tiara.


    The second reason are the pearls. Queen Mary's tiara had metal work joining the upper and lower bands of diamonds which I don't think would allow for a simple substitution of pearls. Clearly, QM was not adverse to restyling but I wonder if she would have gone to the expense of having substantial changes made to the frame work circa 1938 or before only to reverse the work sometime later.

    There are images of Queen Mary wearing the tiara with the diamond bands after 1938 when the portrait was painted.


    From the Illustrated London News 5 February 1949.


    Judging by the appearance of QM in the image below, I suspect the photo was taken after 1938 but I don't have a date. This photo also shows clearly the metal work joining the upper and lower band of diamonds.


    Until we can find additional information, I am keeping an open mind, but I don't think artistic licence has been employed; nor do I think it is the Kent sapphire tiara.

    I think this portrait also indicates that we may have evidence of another bracelet belonging to Queen Mary.

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