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Re: Lady Curzon Necklace. Probably rubies. Edited as I had some inaccuracies - and probably still do
Edited by Beth on October 23, 2020, 5:53 pm
Edited to change my initial comments as one of the press cuttings did not refer to the State Ball of the Durbar celebrations, but to one given later in the year. I am indebted to Mauriz's keen eye for noticing my mistake. As readers will see from information given by 992234177 and Mauriz, it seems highly unlikely that my ideas about the necklace worn to the Durbar State Ball are correct. What an interesting discussion. I'll try to find a copy of the article 992234177 mentioned as I am unsure whether the author is asserting that the necklace Lady Curzon wore to the Durbar State Ball in 1903 was a paste sapphire and, if so, what evidence is given. Apologies for not being able to join in until this morning. According to the media Lady Curzon had a ruby necklace. The cutting below refers to a State Ball given in honour of the King's birthday (not the State Ball for the Durbar) This report refers to ruby and diamond clasps on the straps of her gown. This says the rubies were given to her by her father. After the official Durbar ceremonies and balls, another grand ball was held: the Centenary ball. At this Lady Curzon was again reported to have worn rubies. These cuttings refer to the Centenary ball. Most of the images we have of Lady Curzon are black and white photos which don't give us any clues about colour; however, in 1909 a posthumous portrait was painted for Lord Curzon. This painting suggests that Mary Curzon wore rubies. To my eye the necklace could contain any of several gemstones (judging by this reproduction) but the brooch does look like it contains rubies. There are other references in the press to Lady Curzon wearing rubies, but I never saw any references to sapphires. (The press doesn't seem to have many specific references to her jewels beyond the generic comments about magnificent diamond tiara etc. Above I posted quotes about the jewels she wore to the Centenary ball. I think that the dress and jewels below may have been from that occasion as several media outlets stated the photo showed the dress worn to the Durbar, but of course it isn't. Another factor which inclines me to the ruby scenario is Mary Curzon's will. I haven't looked at the actual document, but many press reports have more details than those cited by Mauriz. These reports do mention rubies, in particular a ruby ornament, clasps and brooches. During this period the press commonly referred to necklaces and brooches as ornaments, so the reference could refer to a necklace,especially if it could be broken into several pieces. Will of Mary Curzon In contrast to the above, Geoffrey Munn in Tiaras. A history of splendour p. 119 states that the necklace contains sapphires and was made by Boucheron. On page 126 Munn, in discussing Boucheron's archival evidence about the tiara, states that the firm also made a diamond necklace and a sapphire necklace for Lady Curzon which she wore "habitually" during her time as Vicereine. Can we afford to ignore evidence in Boucheron's archives?
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