There was a post recently on Tiara Mania about at pink topaz tiara that belonged to Queen Louise of Prussia. I had never seen this piece before which was surprising to me because of it’s many royal owners so I tried to do a bit more research but I didn’t find much. The entire parure now belongs to the Albion Art Institute.
From Albion Art Institute “Title: Prussia – House of Hohenzollern Royal Pink Topaz Parure Year: Early 19th Century Country: Unknown Maker: Unknown Material: Gold, Silver, Diamonds, Pink Topaz
Description: consisting of the following five jewels: 1) Tiara: the hinged circlet outlined by a row of collet-set diamonds on the top and lower edges, enclosing circular-cut topazes between diamond leafy branches meeting at diamond quatrefoils, surmounted by a graduated sequence of pear-shaped topazes supported by pairs of old-cut diamond scrolls, alternating with diamond trefoils. 2) A pair of Pendant Earrings: each top set with circular-cut topaz within an old-cut diamond borders, attached to pairs of diamond ivy leaves with berries terminating in a pendeloque topaz within an old-cut diamond border 3) Necklace: comprising ten topazes of different shapes and sizes graduated in size from the large central cushion-shaped stone towards the back, each within an old-cut diamond border, alternating with diamond and topaz between spiral scrolls, a pendeloque-shaped topaz surrounded by diamonds attached to centre setting. 4) Stomacher: the top element is set with a large rectangular cushion-shaped topaz within an old-cut diamond openwork border, with the sides emphasised by curvilinear diamond motifs, attached to an ornamental centre of diamond and topaz scrolls and ivy leaves terminating in a pendeloque topaz within an old-cut diamond border. 5) Hinged Bangle: the centrepiece is set with a large cushion-shaped topaz within an old-cut diamond border supported on each side by a scroll, ribbon and vase shaped diamond motif applied to the openwork hinged gold band. All contained within a contemporary red leather fitted case with royal cipher.
Provenance: 1) Queen Louise of Prussia (1776-1810), and to her daughter and other descendants: 2) Princess Louise, wife of Prince Frederick of the Netherlands (1808-1870) 3) Queen Louise, wife of Charles XV of Sweden (1828-1871) 4) Queen Louisa, wife of Frederick VIII of Denmark (1851-1926) 5) Princess Louise, wife of Prince Schaumberg-Lippe (1875-1906) 6) Princess Marie Louise, wife of Prince Frederick Sigismund of Prussia,(1897-1938) 7) Princess Louise, wife of Hans Reinhold. (1917- 2009)"
The only picture I could find of any of it being worn is of the fifth Louise on the list, Princess of Prussia and wife of Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe. Does anyone know anything more about this parure or perhaps have more evidence of it being worn?
on December 21, 2016, 9:00 am
