History of Famous Jewels and Collections: Re: Spanish Noble Jewels - Esperanza Chávarri Aldecoa, Countess of Villagonzalo

Yes Thomas, this board does give the opening to discuss jewels which are not mainstream and this is the brilliant foresight which Beth has expertly shown. It opens up wide discussions and lets out information about jewels, people and situations not readily known. The board can only grow from here on out. Thanks Beth, keep it up.

Regards,

Dave.

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This board offers the opportunity to discuss noble jewels, often less publicized than their royal counterparts, but often quite as lavish.

I must confess I am not well-read in the field of Spanish aristocracy, nor did I know of the Countess earlier, but such jewels deserved researching.

Incidentally, your remark about the fringe brooch reminded me a a very similar, and contemporary, example (didn't we discuss this tiara in another thread?):

Georgina Leonora Barnard Douglas (née Mosselmans), Marchioness of Queensberry, by Bassano Ltd, whole-plate glass negative, 27 April 1922 (NPG x121507)

People do have weird ideas...

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Congratulations Thomas! I can imagine the amount of research which has gone into this extremely interesting post. For once I was left almost speechless as I read your post!

Both the lady, the Countess of Villagonzalo, and her jewels are totally new to me.

I wonder if the central element of the lower section of the double tiara did not appeal to the Countess, as on both occasions she has attached a fringe brooch? Or perhaps that was a contemporary fashion which she followed? I feel that the fringe brooch detracts from the original design. What do others think?

I would love to see a photo of her wearing the lower section of the tiara as a choker.

I suspect that, to enable the fringe necklace/tiara to be worn almost as a corsage ornament outlining the neckline of her gown, a back chain was attached to the necklace. Or, perhaps the jewel has been sewn onto the grown? Because in the photo the necklace sits slightly asymmetrically, I am inclined to the former idea. Any thoughts?

Many thanks Thomas.