Napoleon gave the Diadem to his second wife, the Empress Marie-Louise, on the occasion of their marriage. Originally the diadem, commissioned in 1810, was set with emeralds, which were replaced in the mid-1950s with turquoise. It was made by Etienne Nitot et Fils of Paris. The diadem was one piece of a parure that also included a necklace and earrings (now in the Louvre) and comb (disassembled), all in emeralds, diamonds, silver and gold. Marie-Louise bequeathed the diadem and accompanying jewelry to her Hapsburg aunt, Archduchess Elise.
The jewelry was acquired by Van Cleef & Arpels from one of Archduchess Elise’s descendants, Archduke Karl Stefan Hapsburg of Sweden, in 1953, along with a document attesting to their provenance. During the period from May 1954 to June 1956, the emeralds were removed from the diadem by Van Cleef & Arpels and sold individually in pieces of jewelry. A newspaper advertisement placed by the company in 1955 promised: “An emerald for you from the historic Napoleonic Tiara…” Sometime between 1956 and 1962, Van Cleef & Arpels mounted the turquoise into the diadem. In 1962, the diadem with turquoise, was displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris along with the necklace, earrings, and comb, as part of a special exhibition on Empress Marie-Louise. Marjorie Merriweather Post purchased the diadem from Van Cleef & Arpels and donated it to the Smithsonian in 1971. The diadem* is an elaborate design of scrolls, palmettes and medallions and contains 79 Persian turquoise stones (totaling 540cts) and 1,006 old mine cut diamonds (totaling 700cts) set in silver and gold.
*A crown encircles the head in a complete circle and can be worn by men and women; diadems and tiaras are forms of crowns: a diadem is not a complete circle (usually ¾ way around), it has an opening in the back and can also be worn by men and women; a tiara (semi-circular high crown) is a smaller headpiece worn at the front of the head, by women only.
Sotheby’s will be showing fifty tiaras from British aristocratic families as part of their Jubilee Arts Festival celebrating the 70th anniversary since Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. The ‘Power & Image: Royal & Aristocratic Tiaras’ exhibition runs from May 28th to June 15th and is free to attend. You can find out more about visiting here. In addition to the aristocratic tiaras on display there will be contemporary tiaras by British jewelers available for sale.
This has been chilling in my folder for 3 months. I finally had the patience to redraw her face three times, fix her teeni tiny hand and make her breasts not gigantic practice embroidery everywhere which was the original purpose of this drawing.
Included the original look of the character, as well as some step-work on character/ background. Because I am happy it is done.
Medieval Italian Gold Ring with Emerald Cabochon, Later 15th Century AD
A D-section gold hoop with baluster to each shoulder, plaque with rosette motif, biconvex square bezel with ropework border, inset emerald cabochon. 27mm overall, 17.53mm internal diameter. Rare.
The emerald is between three and four carats. It is highly probable that this stone originated in the Austrian Habatchtal deposit. The finest stones, such as this one, from this deposit were the earliest mined.
Yes, Queen! 50 historic tiaras in new Sotheby’s exhibit.
Yes, Queen! 50 historic tiaras in new Sotheby’s exhibit.
Hello, my darlings. It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I didn’t mean to leave you for so long! I have been busy taking care of myself and I am happy to tell you that after years and years of mysterious health issues, I have finally found both my true diagnosis and a doctor who is actually able to help me feel better. It is still going to be a long road but I’m so happy to have answers and support. If…
Been starring at this for too long, but it’s finally done!
The Sonic movies got me all jazzed up and enthusiastic about the sonic universe again after what feels like years. I haven’t actually painted any personal fanart in a very very long time so this was really cathartic. Had an old sketch of modern and classic super sonic lying around and repurposed it for this image as a base. This isn’t referencing any of the games or comics. I just wanted to paint a really cool and intense background for the boys. Also included transparent versions without the background. Hope you like it!
Full sized version located below in case tumblr kills the image quality: IMGUR LINK HERE
Holy woah, it’s May! Let’s welcome in the month with its beautiful birthstone, Emerald! We have a bounty of beads strands, jewelry and crystals made of the luscious green gemstone — you’re bound to find something your May birthday loved one will adore! The Vedas, the holy scriptures of India written many centuries ago, say that emeralds enhance well-being, and are supposed to aid in fertility and abundance. Today, they are closely associated with love and gifts of love. #emeralds #emeraldbeads #emeraldjewelry #maybirthstone #birthstonejewelry #emeralds #emerald #customjewelry #diyjewelry #gemstonebeads #jewelrydesign #mothersday #mothersdaygift #maybirthday #gift #shop #nyc #unionsquare #beadsofparadise (at Beads of Paradise NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdBYph4Oddd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Gold armband with Herakles knot. Hellenistic, 3rd-2nd century BC, Greek, gold inlaid with garnets, emeralds and enamel. According to the Roman writer Pliny, the decorative device of the Herakles knot could cure wounds and its popularity in Hellenistic jewelry suggests that it was thought to have the power to avert evil. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
