I was just going to shut down my computer when I saw your extraordinarily interesting post.
The imagery is superb!!
It is wonderful to know the background to this tiara (which you posted about a short while ago) I don't think any of us (certainly not me) had heard about it previously.
I wonder if the reference to "gildng" refers to the metal work of the the lower portion of the tiara? In the upper section the modern day photos seem to indicate that the metal work is gold -- and a high carat gold by the colour. I am imagining that, if the lower section was gilded, then that is why it looks "like tarnished silver" in the modern pohots.
Or could it be the other way around? And the upper section with the brighter looking gold is the "gilded" section? After all, gold plated items have a brighter look than say 18 carat gold.
But,perhaps my ideas, being guess work, are incorrect.
I wonder how the emeralds were obtained?
Wouldn't it be fabulous if the museum which now owns the tiara was able to ascertain that?
1
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »