Re: Deborah Duchess of Devonshire Jewels. The Devonshire Gems parure. Maridje's photos etc Archived Message
Posted by Beth on July 26, 2018, 9:22 am, in reply to "Re: Deborah Duchess of Devonshire Jewels. The Devonshire Gems parure"
Our fellow poster, Maridje, is unable to post images at present and so kindly sent me some stunning photos of the Devonshire Gems to share, plus some additional information Maridje drew my attention to the fact that not all seven pieces of jewellery could be worn at once as the four head jewels could not be combined. https://www.chatsworth.org/art-archives/devonshire-collection/jewellery-and-metalwork/devonshire-parure/ I, however, wonder if the curators at Chatsworth have not made a mistake in including the bandeau as a head jewel. I suspect that it was designed to be worn as an ornament along the neckline of a gown - but perhaps I am wrong! During the era when the parure was made, ladies did wear jewels to outline the top of the neckline of a court dress. The bandeau and bracelet. Parure Parure in a modern display. The Head jewels. The diadem The coronet The Hair Comb The astonishing stomacher. I can understand why the Duke of Devonshire remarked that it would be impossible to wear sitting down. I wonder if it was meant to be worn just under the neckline of a court dress rather than being pinned from the bust line? Even so, it is still a very long jewel and likely to dig into the body. The necklace. Undoubtedly the most wearable piece for modern times (apart from the bracelet) I didn't think that the parure had been worn in modern times but Maridje has a photo of Deborah Devonshire wearing it. Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire noted that the jewels were prickly to wear! I suspect that, unless the coronet was mounted on a base which raised the entire jewel, it would be impossible to wear. Thank you so much for sharing your photos and the additional information Maridje. Another item which Maridje drew my attention to is that this parure was the first of the Holbeinesque style which became very popular in the mid-nineteenth century.
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