"Rundell" Tiara Royal Jewels of England
- Rundell Diamant Diadem der Königin Alexandra von England
Prinzessin Alexandra von Dänemark kam mit einer vergleichsweise,
armseligen Schmuck Ausstattung nach England.
Als Königstochter, auch eines kleinen Landes hätte man doch
etwas mehr erwartet, doch ihr Vater war noch nicht lange König
und die Familie entstammt einer der ärmeren Linien.
In aller Eile wurde deshalb vom Prinz von Wales, beim Hofjuwelier Garrard,
als Hochzeitsgeschenk für seine Braut eine monumentale Garnitur
besorgt - einer Prinzessin von Wales und Kronprinzessin von England
und Grossbritannien würdig.
Diese Tiara gehörte zu dieser Garnitur - das "Rundell"
Diadem ist aus Diamanten die Elemente zu flächigen Knoten geschlungen,
abgewechselt von grossen Blattteilen mit birnenförmigen Diamanten
als Mittelpunkt, verbunden durch gespannte diamantbesetzte Bögen.
Die Kleeblattförmigen Einheiten, wie auch die Knoten und die Bögen
sind einzeln montierbar, sodass der Basisreif wie ein Krönchen
mit den 5 Gliedern, (Bild siehe unten) zusammen getragen werden kann.
Eine weitere Version ist oben links abgebildet, die damalige Prinzessin
von Wales trug, den mit Rauten verzierten Doppelreif aus Diamanten,
den Doppelknoten, ohne Blattwerk - aber mit aufgesteckten, grossen 8-
zackigen Diamantsternen (rechts an der Corsage zu sehen).
In ihrem Juwelenbuch mit Fotografien, notierte Alexandra alle Details zu Ihrem Schmuck, Ihre Schwiegertochter Mary führte das Juwelenbuch weiter und notierte, dass ca 1920 ein reiches Diamant-Diadem im Wert von £8,000 an die 2.Tochter Toria, Prinzessin Victoria von Wales übereignet wurde, die es alsbald veräussert od. verändert hat, wie auch das reiche Diamanthalsband, das ebenfalls an ihre Tochter Toria ging und verkauft wurde.
Das Perlenhalsband, die Brosche
und die Ohrringe zur Garnitur
Above Queen Alexandra is wearing her "Rundell" Diamond Tiara.
On the occasion of her wedding Princess Alexandra was given it by her
groom, Edward the Prince of Wales.
Princess Alexandra, who came from a small country, lacked jewels, so
when she married in 1863, he gave her this monumental parure of diamonds,
diamond tiara/coronet with matching
necklace, brooch and earrings with pearls and diamonds.
The Princess wore it on her wedding day.
On 05 December 1862, an entry was made in a new Royal Ledger kept by
Garrard & Co. concerning the wedding presents ordered by the Prince
of Wales.
A description of each item is provided along with the cost.
It lists the following:
the pearl and diamond cluster necklace cost £2,680
the earrings £350
the brooch £2,650
the “very rich Brilliant Diadem of large and fine Brilliants, 10
large Brilliants in the band, 10 do (ditto) betweens/10 large Brillt
drops in the upper part, the whole made to divide into Brooches, etc.”
£8,000*
It was of stylized trefoils and lovers’ knots and wearable in
different versions, also together with stars on top, see picture above
on left, the scrolls were interchangeable.
The brooch would later become a favorite piece of Queen Mary, the necklace
of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the earrings are in the possession
of the present Queen.
The Illustrated London News Mach 21, 1863 wrote:
Presents to the Prince & Princess of Wales (from
the Court Newspaperman)
“From his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales —
a fine pearl and diamond necklace, formed of eight circular clusters
of brilliants, with a large pearl in the centre of each, and connected
by a festoon of diamonds; from each of the three principal clusters
is suspended a fine pear-shaped pearl.
A brooch of oblong form, with three very fine pearls set with large
brilliants and three large and fine pearls pendant. Earrings to match.
(Garrard and Co.)
A diadem of fine brilliants; the circlet is formed of two rows,
with ten large brilliants equidistant; it is surmounted by scroll ornaments
having in the centre of each a large drop-shaped brilliant; theses are
connected by Greek devices, also in brilliants; the various pieces are
made to form separate ornaments at pleasure (Garrard and Co.)
A waist-clasp formed of two large turquoises, inlaid with Arabic
characters, and mounted in gold in Oriental style".
Another entry was made on 10 February 1863 in Garrard's Royal Ledger:
“A wedding ring costing £2.2s and a ‘Gold guard do
(ditto) w[ith] Stones [spelling] “Bertie”’ at £14.
This is called one of the first presents the Prince of Wales gave to
Princess Alexandra.
The ring spelt "Bertie" with the initial letters of each stone:
Beryl, Emerald, Ruby, Turquoise, Jacinth, Emerald.
“Amongst the jewels ordered by the Prince of Messrs. Garrard for
Princess Alexandra is a keeper for her wedding-ring, set with six stones,
their initials spelling the word “Bertie” which is the familiar
name of his Royal Highness in the Royal circle.” wrote the Illustrated
London News, No. 1192, Vol. XLII March 7, 1863, p 239
The whereabout is unknown.
About our research: it´s not known why the jewel
is called the Rundell tiara, because it was made by Garrard & Co..
source:Shirley Bury, Jewellery The International Era
1769-1910. Volume II 1862-1910, published by the Antique Collectors
Club; Royal Collection
Special thanks for her great research to Laura and John!!
****** The Diamond Stars ******>>
Queen Alexandras Wedding gifts:
more jewels :
Queen´s
Treasure
English Royal Jewels
Queen Mary Jewels
