Banner: Queen Victoria in Opal TiaraArchived Message
Posted by LauraM on October 17, 2015, 5:24 pm
I have been thinking about the gold filigree tiara that Queen Victoria is wearing in the "opal banner."
Munn says "openwork gold diadem set with opals" and "Its present whereabouts are unknown." but I am wondering if the tiara might actually be the tiara from the pearl and gold filigree parure purchased by Prince Albert at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1855.
Queen Victoria wrote in her journal entry of Sat. 24 May 1856: "Another of Albert's principal presents was a lovely Tiara, necklace, brooch, & earrings in light gold filigree work, with pearls in the centre, from the Paris Exhibition." The tiara certainly could have pearls rather than opals.
The painting which portrays Queen Victoria in the filigree tiara is circa 1863. She is wearing a most impressive pearl necklace and her pearl bracelet. It makes sense that she could have chosen to wear her pearl and gold filigree tiara for the painting.