Lavish gifts of jewels from fiancé, family and friends celebrated a new bride's wedding day. Weddings are a time of tender feelings and delightful anticipation enhanced by happy preparations.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, however, the rich were expected to put on a show, and bridal gifts were proudly displayed at the wedding reception. Newspaper and society columns printed detailed lists of the gifts received by the bride with intricate engravings of the most spectacular pieces, a practice that ended in the 20th century when it became obvious this was an open invitation to thieves.

The presents to the future Queen of Great Britain, Princess Mary of Teck, were first displayed at White Lodge, the home of her parents, during a garden party to the invited guests. They were later moved to the Imperial Institute where the public could purchase an admission ticket. The revenues went to charity.

Conspicuous among the gifts would be the bride's corbeille de marriage, or wedding casket, filled with gifts of jewels from her fiancé, family, friends and, in Princess May's situation, from the country. Along with a fine house, carriage and servants, jewelry was an important and instantly recognizable indication of wealth. When the principle heir of a noble or royal family became engaged, the family diamonds would be reset in the latest style for the bride.

In the glass display case, we see some of the gifts given to Mary such as the "famous" diamond sun brooch from the Count & Countess Warwick, a bracelet which was part of the present the Members of Surrey Needlewood Guild, and the tiara from the county of Surrey.

Some other jewels--the diamond and pearl pendant/brooch from the People of Richmond and a diamond ornament from the Count Korlebrodyki--have rarely or never been seen in public.

Queen Mary reportedly had the "Warwick" diamond sun broken up in 1911 and the stones could have been incorporated into new pieces, such as one her large stomachers.

One of the gifts from Prince George, the bridegroom, was a diamond rose brooch in the style of the "Rose of York" - later passed to Princess Margaret and was discribed in the auction of her jewels: AN ANTIQUE DIAMOND ROSE OF YORK BROOCH
Naturalistically modelled, the overlapping cinquefoil petals set with cushion-shaped and rose-cut diamonds, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1860, wide 3.9 cm, price £42,000 ($77,280)

 

As well, the present of the West Yorkshire Regiment was a diamond rose brooch, in the design of the West Yorkhire Regiments ornament, designed and executed by the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company. The brooch given by the West Yorkshire Regiment was later presented to the Queen Mother as a wedding present upon her marriage to the Duke of York and

See the different brooches above. Princess Mary wore the rose-brooch of Prince George on her arm as a bracelet and later with a pearl as center>>

The spray of rose-leaves in diamonds brooch on her bodice was the wedding gift from a few women of the stage. Eighty actresses contributed to the fund from which the brooch was purchased.

The pearl-collier de chien or pearl dog collar is probably a marriage present of the Sahib Morvi, the Thakore and Ranee of Gondal and later given to the Duchess of Gloucester, was described as large costly diamond and pearl necklace, scroll pattern, with bracelet to match.
From the Indian Princes at present in this country, the Princess has received some valuable presents, the Ranee of Gondal giving her a diamond and pearl necklet and bracelet to match, and the Maharaja of Bhaunagar sending her a handsome inlaid Indian cabinet with silver jugs and goblets.
Source: Diass Express;jeweller magazine, The Graphic Royal Wedding Number 23 July 1893, The Times, Boffer,RJM,Nottinghamshire Guardian