How was the fate of the magnificent tiaras and diadems that belonged to the imperial house of Russia

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

After the overthrow of the Empire, the fate of the tiaras and diadems of Russian empresses and grand duchesses turned out to be unenviable - many of them were dismantled and lost without a trace. Only a few of them were lucky - almost intact they fell into private hands, some even to the queens. In Russia, there is only one tiara left, which you can admire at the Diamond Fund.

Diadem of Maria Feodorovna with a pink diamond

This diadem was made around 1800 by jeweler Yakov Duval for the Russian Empress Maria Feodorovna (wife of Paul I). Many diamonds were used in its creation, but the most important decoration is a 13.5-carat diamond of a rare pale pink color, located in the center.

Subsequently, the Grand Duchesses began to often use it in their wedding dresses.

The only one of all the tiaras and diadems of the imperial family, it remained intact and was not taken out of the country. And now it is one of the most valuable exhibits of the Kremlin's Diamond Fund.

Diadem "Ears"

One of the favorite diadems of Empress Maria Feodorovna. It was made by the Duval brothers, the jewelers, after the death of Paul I. The composition is based on graceful spikelets, ornately woven with flax stalks. A very beautiful and original diadem, which is also distinguished by its filigree technique of execution.

A hundred years later, when listing the jewels of the imperial family, the Bolsheviks decided that the "Spike" tiara, which was highly valued in the imperial family, did not represent either historical or artistic value and put it up for auction. After the tiara was sold at the Christie's in London in 1927, there was no further news of it. In 1980, jewelers V. Nikolaev and G. Aleksakhin, on the basis of a photograph of this diadem made for trading, were able to create a copy of it under the name “Russian Field”. And although the copy is somewhat different from the original, you can still get an idea of what this lost masterpiece looked like.

Radiant tiara of Elizaveta Alekseevna

The first owner of this tiara was Elizaveta Alekseevna, the wife of Emperor Alexander I.

There is no information about the fate of the radiant tiara after the revolution.

Tiare russe

During the reign of Nicholas I, tiaras in the form of a bezel with many diamond "rays" diverging from it became very fashionable. It is these tiaras that are considered classic Russian (tiare russe), in Europe they are also called frang-tiaras. Until now, they remain popular in various countries. Tiaras-kokoshniks, differing only in the pattern of the rays, were worn by Empress Maria Feodorovna, wife of Alexander III, and Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas II:

The fate of these tiaras also remains unknown.

Tiaras "lovers knot"

At the beginning of the 19th century, the fashion for tiaras “lovers knot” (knots of love), in which diamonds were combined with teardrop-shaped pearls, came to Russia from Europe. The wife of Nicholas II Alexandra Feodorovna had two such tiaras - the Big Diamond Tiara and the Pearl Tiara.

Large diamond tiara

This luxurious tiara with 113 pearls was made for Alexandra Feodorovna in the early 1830s. But the high point of this tiara was the appearance in it of another empress, also Alexandra Feodorovna. In a luxurious ceremonial dress and in this magnificent tiara, the wife of Nicholas II shone in 1906 at the opening ceremony of the 1st State Duma.

After an inventory was carried out in 1922, traces of this tiara are lost, most likely, it was disassembled and sold in parts.

Pearl diadem by K. Bolin

Alexandra Feodorovna had another very beautiful diadem with pendant pearls, which was presented to her by her husband, Nicholas I. This diadem, adorned with a slender row of magnificent natural pearls in the amount of 25 pieces, was created by jeweler K. Bolin in 1842.

After the beautiful tiara was auctioned off in 1927, it was resold several times. Its last owner was the famous Imelda Marcos, the first lady of the Philippines, the owner of a huge collection of pearls. Now "kokoshnik" belongs to the government of the Philippines, which is hatching plans to sell it at auction along with other jewelry of the former first lady. Perhaps there will be a chance after all to return this treasure to Russia.

Sapphire tiara of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

This tiara was also presented to Alexandra Fedorovna by her husband, Nicholas I, in 1825.

After the death of the empress, the tiara went to her grandson, the son of Alexander II, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, who was married to Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. In 1920, Maria Pavlovna emigrated to Europe and there, in need of money, sold this tiara to her relative, Queen Maria of Romania. Maria treasured this tiara very much and rarely parted with it.

Subsequently, Maria presented her beloved tiara to her daughter Ileana for the wedding. But hard times have come for the Romanian royal family as well. Ileana was forced to flee the country, and in 1950 she had to sell this tiara. But who does not know.

Pearl diadem of Maria Feodorovna

Made in the early 1880s, it belonged to Empress Maria Feodorovna. The most recognizable element of this tiara is the massive elongated pearls.

Emerald tiara of Alexandra Feodorovna

In the center is a 23-carat Colombian emerald.

Sold in the 1920s.

Kehli Sapphire and Diamond Diadem

One of Alexandra Feodorovna's favorite jewelry. This diadem, which is part of a magnificent parure, was made by the court jeweler Friedrich Kehle. The drawing of the diadem resembles a festive fireworks display; heraldic lilies are also visible on it.

Sold at auction in the 1920s.

Vladimir tiara

This tiara is perhaps the most famous of all the tiaras of the imperial court of the Romanovs. Its current owner is one of the most famous women in Europe - Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. How did this Russian tiara get to the English queen? This tiara, made by the Bolin firm in 1874, was presented by Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (son of Emperor Alexander II) to his bride, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, before the wedding. In his name, the tiara got its name - Vladimirskaya.

After the revolution, Maria Pavlovna had to urgently leave the country, but she could not take out most of her jewelry and left them in Russia, in a hiding place. Later, with the help of confidants, she managed to secretly transport the hidden collection to Europe. Soon after the move, Maria Pavlovna died, and the heirs sold part of the jewelry from her collection. It was then that the Vladimir tiara was acquired by the then queen of England, Mary of Teck.

Queen Mary decided to alter the tiara a bit. At her request, the jewelers made the pearls removable, and also made another additional set of jewelry - from teardrop-shaped emeralds.

After the death of Maria Tekskaya in 1953, the tiara went to her granddaughter Elizabeth II, who can often be seen in her beloved Vladimir tiara.

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