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Queen Alexandra Cartier Necklace
Posted by OmerH on January 19, 2019, 6:42 pm
While searching for more info on Daisy Fellows tutti frutti necklace I came across this article which has some very good info about the evolution of the necklace as we see today.
However the thing that really intrigued me was this mention of a necklace comissioned by Queen Alexandra from Cartier. Here's the quote from the article:
"Cartier’s foray into Indian-inspired jewelry began with another important necklace, one commissioned by Queen Alexandra in 1901. Upon receiving three Indian gowns from Mary Curzon, wife of the Viceroy of India, the Queen asked Cartier Paris to create a necklace that harmonized with the style of her new dresses using Indian jewels given as gifts in the Royal Collection. Since the 18th century, the English Royal Collection had accumulated on of the greatest collections of Indian jewelry in Europe. The resulting piece was a light and elegant Indian-style necklace of 71 pearls, 12 cabochon rubies, 94 cabochon emeralds and two square emeralds described as ‘talismans’."
Has anyone ever come across such a necklace worn by QA or any other royal lady???
The information about Queen Alexandra's Cartier necklaces originated (I am fairly confident) in Hans Nadelhoffer's seminal work history on Cartier. Later, Christophe Vachaudez published information in the Royals, which our fellow poster, Franck, highlighted on RJWMB http://members2.boardhost.com/royal-jewels/msg/archive/1446253218.html The necklace in question is the first on Franck's list.
As far as I know we have never seen a definitely identified image of this necklace, although it may be the necklace HM wore below a diamond choker as seen in this painting.
On the other hand I cannot see the square emerald "talismans" gems.
It is possible that Queen Alexandra wore the necklace to various courts in 1902, but there is no mention of any pearls!
June 1902
A similar necklace was described in the press as being worn by Queen Alexandra to the second court in March 1903. As in this description pearls are mentioned, this may be the Cartier 1901 necklace.
I am hoping that a 3 vols tome on Cartier, which is to be published this year, may provide more information -- and hopefully a photo of the jewel.
Whilst they are ot a match to pieces made by Cartier - I have found some information in the Leslie Field book(1997 edition, third reprint) on page 96 are some pictures of QA's Indian necklace plus bracelet ad armlets.
The pieces are made of rubies, pearls and emeralds.
Unless they were sent to Cartier to be remade there is no match.
Field goes on to note that Queen Mary broke up the piece.
Re: Queen Alexandra Cartier Necklace. Edited to include apology
Edit: I apologise to Mike. I had not read his post carefully and so what I said below reflects that. The mistake is mine. Mike had said the two items were not a match.
Mike, are you referring to this suite? .
If so, it is not the Cartier 1901 necklace. It was part of Queen Victoria's wedding gifts to Queen Alexandra
The only photo I have ever seen of Queen Alexandra wearing this necklace is from the Devonshire House Ball in 1897, but the Queen wore it with some frequency.
Re: Queen Alexandra Cartier Necklace. Apologies Mike
My sincere apologies Mike. I should have read your post more carefully before I replied. You had said that the Indian necklace Queen Victoria gave to Queen Alexandra was not a match for the Cartier 1901 necklace.
Much as I would like to attribute my lack of attention to the humidity, I have to acknowledge that I replied too hastily without reading your post carefully. Sincere apologies for a mistake which should not have occurred.
I started going through the royal collection but did not locate.
It has got me thinking that there must be simply boxes and boxes of bling stashed away that has not seen the light of days for years and a lot for decades.
The vaults at BP are chockers - this we all know but what is there that has been left untouched will be huge. Her majesty is not really interested in jewellery and it seems that Camilla is not really either as she also keeps wearing the same pieces.
this is simply an observation and not a critical personal comment about either lady.
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Many thanks Beth & Mike. If only we had a picture.....sigh!!!
Re: Queen Alexandra Cartier Necklace. Apologies Mike
Beth - no problems thanks for the apology - we are all human and I am on the top of the pile!
Mike
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My sincere apologies Mike. I should have read your post more carefully before I replied. You had said that the Indian necklace Queen Victoria gave to Queen Alexandra was not a match for the Cartier 1901 necklace.
Much as I would like to attribute my lack of attention to the humidity, I have to acknowledge that I replied too hastily without reading your post carefully. Sincere apologies for a mistake which should not have occurred.
on January 19, 2019, 6:42 pm
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