This picture J.-F. posted (of Queen Mary wearing Queen Victoria’s Diamond Bracelet) triggered my interest, as it was entirely new to me.
As Franck mentioned, this exceptional combination of jewels wasn’t (to the best of my knowledge) known to us, either in portraiture or from photographs.
The juxtaposition of large rivières with the great sautoir truly highlights the huge size of these diamonds.
I'm not sure I recognise the other bracelet, does anyone?
Likewise, this particular setting of the Durbar tiara (RCIN 250528), complete of its original closing line on top, and boasting the Cullinans III and IV as an integral part of the design completely changed my appreciation of this tiara.
This very harmonious form of the Durbar tiara seemed new to me, until I realized that Queen Mary had worn it as early as 1922, for the state Visit of King Albert I and Queen Elizabeth of the Belgians, as seen in this contemporary postcard:
The portrait shared by J.-F. was taken by Hay Wrightson, circa 1930.
I tracked down the source of this press photograph, which was sold by IMS Vintage Photos, Stockholm. The back of the image provides interesting insight about the portrait, which seems to have pleased the Queen very much indeed. Wrightson photographed Queen Mary on many occasions until his death in 1949.
I have found two further occurrences of this portrait: both are signed by the Queen, with the years 1931 and 1933 respectively.
The one from 1931 was used as a formal presentation portrait adressed to Percival Griffiths, Esq., in a lavish silver-gilt frame by Garrard & Co., London (Sold Freeman's Auctions, Philadelphia, 18 Oct. 2016, $6,250).
The second (sold on eBay) bears a small autograph note on the back.
This portrait now ranks amongst my favourite images of Queen Mary!
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