Queen Victoria Jewels |The Sunray Diamond Tiara | The Starbust Brooches and Halfmoons - from the the golden casket a gift of the Amir of Afghanistan

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The Sunray Diamond Tiara | The Starbust Brooches and Halfmoons - from the the golden casket a gift of the Amir of Afghanistan

Her Majesty the Queen got an autograph letter from the Amir of Afghanistan encluded in a gold casket, the brilliance and magnifince of which has seldom been equalled and rarely, if ever, surpassed. The presentation was made by The Shahsada on behalf of his father the Amir. A brief description of the casket, which is by far the largest and without question the valuable one ever executed, may be of interest to our readers.
The length is over 18in., the width 13 1/2 in, while the height exceeds 14 1/2 in. It is octagonal oblong in form, and consists of solid I8ct, gold lavishly embellished with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones, all of which may be considered absolute specimens of brilliancy, purity of colour, and perfection of cutting.

The main body of the casket is divided into panels, separated by pillars cut from blocks of lapis lazuli, and these panels in turn are cornposed of delicate tracery of an arabesque character covering further placques of the lapis. The whole of the stand and general body of the box is richly encrusted with large diamonds, rubies. emeralds, and other precious stones, the centre panel on both sides containing the arms of Afghanistan richly enamelled in correct heraldic colour. From the four top corners spring magnificent half stars, containing upwards of 178 fully-cut brilliants in each.

The lid is alightly domed and richly chased with devices emblematical of the flora of Afghanistan; ascending from this are six massive pillars of lapis lazuli, with gold capitals of a Turkish character, surmounted by six Mahomedan crescents, each composed of 24 large brilliants capped by turrets or finials in gold.

From the top of the temple thus formed spring six elegantly chased and jewelled arches crowned with the 16 point diamond of Afghanistan, having a diameter of 4 1/2 inch, and composed of 168 finest possible brilliants weighing from 1 ct to 3 ct each —the centre stone being valued by London experts at £1,500, and mechuring three quarters of an inch across, weighing 17 3/4ct., and is absolutely pure in colour. flawless, and of great brilliancy and perfection in cutting. This triumph of the Goldsmith's art which in valued at £6,000, has been designed and entirely produced to the order of, and in accordance with the suggestions given by Mr T. A. Martin, Agent-General to the Government of Afghanistan, by Elkington & Co Ltd., of 22 Regent Street, London.

CASKET PRESENTED BY THE AMER TO THE QUEEN AT WINDSOR. The Shahzada visited Her Majesty to-day. The Shahzada was conducted to Her Majesty's presence, and was invited by the Queen to take a seat Her Majesty's right hand. A casket containing a letter from the Ameer of Afghanistan and other presents, which had been previously arranged in the reception room, were then offered by the Shahzada to Her Majesty. The Shahzada had luncheon with Her Majesty and Royal Family. The Shahzada afterwards visited Eton College, and returned thence to London.
Nasmlla Khan, son of the Ameer, visited the Queen Windsor yesterday. He was met by Prince Christian and Prince Henry of Battenberg, and driven in the Royal carriage to Windsor Castle, where he lunched with the Queen and presented the gifts sent by his father, the Ameer. These consisted of a beautiful gold casket decorated with lapis lazuli of wonderful hue, surrounded with stars and crescents of purest diamonds, so arranged that they can be detached and worn as personal ornaments, also 40 shawls of exquisite native workmanship, 800 Astrachan black skins, and four enormous lumps of lapis lazuli in the rough.

Above Queen Victoria with the sunray tiara and the diamond halfmoons pinned in her veil.

The coronation of Emperor Nicholas II and his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was the last coronation during the Russian Empire. It took place on Tuesday, 14 May (O.S., 26 May N.S.) 1896, On this occassion the Duchess of Connaught was send from the Queen to this event. The Queen Victoria lent her daughter-in-law, the diamond sunbusts und large middle star on a frame as tiara.

Later the diamond sunburst and stars are used to made the sunrray diamond tiara, with the meander base. Which was often worne by the Queen Victoria in her later days and left to her daughter Princess Beatrice, Princess Battenberg.

Below Queen Victoria in 1899 with high diamond fringe tiara at Buckingham Palace with Debutants.

A ROYAL PRESENT. Her Majesty, the Queen, was on Tuesday last, July 2nd, the recipient of an autograph letter from the Amir of Afghanistan enclosed gold casket, the brilliance and magnificence of which has seldom been equalled and rarely if ever surpassed.

The presentation was made by H.H. The Shahzada (crown prince) on behalf of his Father the Amir.

A brief description of the casket, which is by far the largest and without question the most valuable one ever executed, may be of interest our readers. The length is over 18 in., the width 13 in., while the height exceeds 14 in.

It is octagonal oblong in form, and consists of solid 18kt gold lavishly embellished with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones, all of which may be considered absolute specimens of brilliancy, purity of colour, and perfection of cutting. The main body of the casket divided into panels, separated by pillars cut from blocks of lapis lazuli, and these panels in turn are composed of deLcate tracery of Arabesque character covering farther placques of the lapis.
The whole of the stand and general body of the Box is richly encrusted with large diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones, the centre panel on both aides containing the arms of Afghanistan richly enamelled in correct heraldic colours.
From the four top corners spring magnificent half stars, containing upwards of 178 fully-cut brilliants in each. The Ud is slightly domed and richly chased with devices emblematical of the flora of Afghanistan: ascending from this are six massive pillars of lapis lazuli, with gold capitals of a Turkish character, surmounted by six Mahommedan crescents, each composed of 2i large brilliants, capped by turrets or nnials in gold.

From the top of the temple thus formed spring six elegantly chased and jewelled arches crowned with the 16 point diamond star of Afghanistan, having a diameter of 4| in., and composed of 168 finest possible brilliants weighing from l cts. to 3 cts. each—the centre stone being valued by London experts st £1.500, and measuring three quarters of an inch across, weighing cts., and is absolutely pure in colour, flawless and of great brilliancy ana perfection of cutting. This tnuznph of the Goldsmiths’ Art which is valued at £6,000, has been designed and entirely produced to the order of, and in accordance with the suggestions given by Mr. T. A. Martin, Agent General to the Government of Afghanistan, by Messrs. Elkington k Co., Ltd., of 22, Regentstreet, London; the whole of the work being turned out within three weeks of the design being first proposed.

Sources: THE COURT CIRCULAR, Northern Weekly Gazette Cork Constitution, Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, Kent Times, Bedfordshire Times and Independent; Brockley News, New Cross and Hatcham Review,Boston Guardian,Ortweabaian _ Northern Weekly Gazette;Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore)