Consuelo Yznaga married to the 8th Duke of Manchester, she was a beautiful and charming woman who would challenge the convention of the day throughout her lifetime.
"she simply kicked over the traces and adopted the men's morals for her own. She became the doyenne of London society and was apparently adored for her charm and wit"
Emerald and Diamond Necklace, composed of eleven cushion-cut emerald and old-cut diamond clusters, to the diamond collet. The flexible garland-like design, weighing approximately 28.00 carats, spaced by scrollwork links, set with old mine and rose-cut diamonds weighing approximately 28.00 carats mounted in silver and gold circa 1860, 35.0 cm. long. The necklace was displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for 22 years.
Gifted in 1876 to Consuelo Yznaga upon her marriage to George Montagu, Viscount Mandeville, this necklace was likely the star of a similarly-designed parure. Featuring an impressive row of emeralds spaced by delicate scrollwork motifs, this design exemplifies the Victorian fashions favored by the group of women now known as ‘The Million Dollar American Princesses,’ a group pioneered by the Duchess of Manchester herself.
As the corset helped make the décolleté the focal point of women’s fashion, layers upon layers of jewels were called to conceal yet draw attention. Necklaces such as the present lot would have likely been partnered with additional rivièrès and gem-set floral creations to accessorize the bustled gowns worn to the innumerable events dotting the social season.
Born in Louisiana in 1853 to a plantation owner of Cuban descent, Consuelo Yznaga was known for what the prress referred to as,’…the Spanish type of beauty,’ with jet-black eyebrows and abundant golden blonde hair. Her marriage to a member of the British aristocracy was an unfamiliar union that required sufficient time for both families to endorse. The 1876 wedding at Grace Church in New York City was described as, ‘One of the most brilliant affairs of the season,’ by The New York Times.
Crowds crammed into the chapel to get a glimpse of the bride, who wore an ornate satin design with diamond starburst brooches in her hair. The New York Times dually noted that, ’the presents received by the bride were very elaborate and costly.’
Wall Street tycoon Mr. Leonard Jerome gifted the young bride with ’heavy gold bracelets,’ while Mrs. William Vanderbilt presented a, ‘point lace fan.’ It is important to note these two wedding guests in particular when observing the influence of Consuelo’s marriage; Mr. Jerome’s daughter Jennie, a friend of Consuelo, later went on to become Lady Randolph Churchill via marriage (and was mother to Sir Winston Churchill);
Alva, known as Mrs. William Vanderbilt, named her own daughter Consuelo in the hopes she would receive the same marital rank as her longtime friend (and indeed she did become the Duchess of Marlborough).
Dollar Princesses. As a social pioneer Consuelo became a sort of matchmaker, inspiring her friends from America to find suitable husbands; husbands that needed American fortunes to maintain their decaying estates in exchange for noble titles unavailable to American girls of even the highest social rank.
Above she is pictured at the Duchess of Devonshire Ball, her mother-in-law, which married again a Duke - the Duke of Devonshire.
Source:Sothebys; The Washington Post;
Queen Alexandras Wedding gifts:
Brooch of the Ladies of North Wales | Royal Wedding present
>>
Emerald Brooche and Emerald earpendant a gift of the Ladies
of North Wales>>
Rundell
Tiara | Das Rundell Diadem der englischen Königin >>
Alexandras Indian Necklace
of Diamonds and Emeralds | Indisches Halsband >>
National
Token of South Wales of Diamonds and Emeralds | Gift of the Ladies of
South Wales >>
Dagmar
Necklace with Pearls | Dagmar Kreuz Collier mit Perlen >>
Demi Parure with Opals | Opalschmuck
- Geschenk der Königin Victoria >>
Diamond
necklace and earrings presented by the Corporation of the City of London
>>
Cambridge
Diamond Bracelet | Turquoise Bracelet | Armbänder >>
Bridesmaids
Bracelet | Armband - Geschenk der Brautmädchen >>
Parure of Landgrave
William of Hesse and Chamberlain Juel | Parure im altenglischen Design
vom Landgraf von Hessen und Juel >>
Solid Gold Parure in Runic design | Goldschmuckset
mit Runen von den Einwohnern der Insel Laaland und Falster >>
Wedding Memorials and Token | Erinnerungsgeschenke an die
Hochzeit von Königin Alexandra
Pearl
Parure of Queen Alexandra | Perlen der Königin Alexandra
Ruby Diamond Choker & Bangles | Ladies of South Australia silver wedding gift | Geschenk der Damen von Süd Australien zur Silberhochzeit
more jewels :
Amethyst - Tiara | Queen Alexandras
Amethyst Necklace | Amethyst Schmuck
Sapphires - Collar | Silver-Weddinggift
of Tsar Alexander III. | Saphir Collier
Diamond
-Butterfly Brooch | Silver Wedding present from the Grand Lodge of Freemasons
Royal Diamond - Stars Brooches Queen Alexandra | Sterne mit Diamanten
als Broschen
Coronation Jewels | Crown and Diamonds | Krönungsschmuck der Königin Alexandra
Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee Link-Chain and Bracelets | Queen Alexandra Jewels | Resille Chocker | Diamant Halsschmuck der Königin Alexandra
Ruby, Rubies | Royal - Jewels of Queen Alexandra | Rubin Schmuck der Königin Alexandra von England
