Silver-Topped Gold, Ruby and Diamond Tiara [黃金鍍銀鑲紅寶石配鑽石皇冠]

Auction Closed

December 9, 09:24 PM GMT

Estimate

100,000 - 200,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Property from the Collection of Marylou Whitney

[瑪麗露・惠特尼瑰藏]

Silver-Topped Gold, Ruby and Diamond Tiara

[黃金鍍銀鑲紅寶石配鑽石皇冠]

Of garland design, featuring floral and foliate motifs pavé-set with old mine, old European, pear, single and rose-cut diamonds, accented with cushion-cut and round rubies; mid-19th century. With fitted case.

Please note that a petal is missing from one of the floral motifs to the side of the tiara and will not be replaced for the purchaser following the auction as previously stated.

Purchased from Harry Winston in 1952 and stated to be from the Collection of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

A handwritten note on Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney's stationery recounts the provenance provided to her by Harry Winston: "This fragile and beautiful Austrian tiara dates back to the days of Franz-Joseph and was one of the most superb ornaments there was to behold in the Viennese Court. The design and motif features sprays of sparkling wild roses and frozen dew drops, fashioned in silver and gold and completely encrusted in diamonds and rubies."

Illustrated as the 'Austrian Diadem' modeled by Allyn McLerie in The Court of Jewels: The Harry Winston Collection of the World's Greatest Jewels.

For a similar diamond and ruby necklace/diadem, see Jewellery 1789-1910, vol. 1, by Shirley Bury, page 408.

Accompanied by a copy of an insurance evaluation dated February 8, 1957 and an insurance appraisal dated October 14, 1982 from Harry Winston.