- Re: QEQM's emerald palm tree brooch. Re-assessing origin Archived Message
Posted by Franck
on July 12, 2018, 7:45 pm, in reply to "QEQM's emerald palm tree brooch. Re-assessing origin"
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Dear Beth, I thank you for your kind post ! I am also note sure that it was a 25th anniversary gift ! Indeed, I do not undersand why QEII would have not worn this brooch...it would have a sentimal value for her ! Indeed, I can confirm that the bracelet is from Mrs Greville's collection. This bracelet was bought from Cartier in 1923. I have a written proof...however, I can't give my source. I also thank you for your photo of QEQM wearing the emerald brooch in SA. Indeed, I have just noticed that she was also wearing an other emerald brooch on her waist...maybe one of the emerald clip she was worn on her hat and on a pearl necklace. On the last photo, she is wearing the triple emerald bar brooch which have been also worn by the Duchess of Cornwall. It is obvious that all the emerald brooches worn by QEQM have not been worn yet ! We have on least 4 different emerald brooches in the vault : - An emerald and diamond arrow brooch (Wedding gift from her Godfather) - An emerald and diamond brooch (Given as an anniversary wedding gift from her husband) - An emerald and diamond clips worn also as a clasp of pearl necklace Franck  Previous MessageI have always read that the brooch, which I call Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's emerald palm tree brooch, was a gift from King George VI for their 25th wedding anniversary. The brooch I am referring to I am not sure where the idea that it was a 25th anniversary gift originated. I couldn't see anything in Leslie Field. I don't have Susie Menkes' book. I suspect that the idea has taken hold because QEQM wore it and the emerald bracelet for the series of photos which were released to mark the silver wedding anniversary in 1948. The actual date was 26 April 1948. Below are a couple of those photos. But QEQM was photographed wearing both the brooch and bracelet during the South African tour and these photos were published in the UK press in March 1947. Sphere 22 March 1947 Detail from above Illustrated London News 22 March 1947 Tatler 26 March 1947 Detail from above The dating makes it clear that these items are not 25th wedding anniversary gifts. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that the bracelet and the brooch were part of Mrs Greville's collection. QEQM started to wear some of the jewels left to her after the end of WWII and first wore the Greville diamond tiara in South Africa. I think that Franck has already stated that the bracelet belonged to Mrs Greville. If my hunch is correct, then this may be the second large emerald brooch from Mrs Greville which Leslie Field mentioned in her book. I am also interested in the brooch QEQM wore at her waistline. I wondered if it could be this brooch -- but the one worn in 1947 may be smaller. Has anyone any ideas? |