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Queen Alexandra. Wedding gift from South Wales.
Posted by Beth on August 15, 2019, 8:33 am
Some of the most spectacular gifts Queen Alexandra received at the time of her marriage came from Wales.
The gift of South Wales consisted of a so called "badge" and a bracelet. The latter was spotted occasionally on Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Gift of South Wales.
What I hadn't appreciated until I saw the report below is that the bracelet could, somehow, be used a head ornament. As the bandeau style worn on the forehead was not then fashionable, I wonder if the central element was detachable to be worn in the style of a ferronniere? Even so, I suspect the result would be rather heavy looking, whereas a ferronniere was meant to be delicate, and by 1863-64 was no longer fashionable.
Unfortunately, we don't have a modern photograph of the bracelet which might give an idea of whether the centre was detachable. In the images which I have of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother wearing the bracelet the central element has usually fallen around to the lowest point and is often hidden. The three below are the best I have.
Another possibility is that the bracelet could be fitted onto a frame and worn as a small tiara.
This might explain a 1904 report I have which states that Queen Alexandra had a diamond and emerald tiara -- but I think that is a long shot!
1904 report
Re: Queen Alexandra. Wedding gift from South Wales.
Again' excellent points. The British royals have at least two emeralds tiaras seen the Great Vlad with the emerald drops and the recent exposed Greville Kokoshnik tiara, maybe they are more hidden in the vaults as your excerpts may indicate. HM somehow does not seem to have indulged in the many jewels in the British jewel collection nor did her mother. For instance the late QM never wore the Greville tiara.
Regards,
Dave.
Previous Message
Some of the most spectacular gifts Queen Alexandra received at the time of her marriage came from Wales.
The gift of South Wales consisted of a so called "badge" and a bracelet. The latter was spotted occasionally on Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Gift of South Wales.
What I hadn't appreciated until I saw the report below is that the bracelet could, somehow, be used a head ornament. As the bandeau style worn on the forehead was not then fashionable, I wonder if the central element was detachable to be worn in the style of a ferronniere? Even so, I suspect the result would be rather heavy looking, whereas a ferronniere was meant to be delicate, and by 1863-64 was no longer fashionable.
Unfortunately, we don't have a modern photograph of the bracelet which might give an idea of whether the centre was detachable. In the images which I have of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother wearing the bracelet the central element has usually fallen around to the lowest point and is often hidden. The three below are the best I have.
Another possibility is that the bracelet could be fitted onto a frame and worn as a small tiara.
This might explain a 1904 report I have which states that Queen Alexandra had a diamond and emerald tiara -- but I think that is a long shot!
1904 report
Re: Queen Alexandra. Wedding gift from South Wales.
Excellent discovery as always Beth!!! During the 1850s bandeaus were sometimes worn which usually involved wearing velvet hairbands studded with jewels. For example the following illustration from Petersons magazine in 1858:
Further during the 1860s some fashionable ladies arranged their hair to accommodate a "Bandeau Haircomb"
Looking at the last two pictures I can picture this bracelet worn in this fashion.
Re: Queen Alexandra. Wedding gift from South Wales.
Many thanks OmerH. That could explain how the conversion was meant to work. Before reading your post I had no idea about this style of hair jewel. Learning from other's knowledge is the best part of discussing things on a board!
Re: Queen Alexandra. Wedding gift from South Wales.
Thank you so much for sharing this information with us !
Very best regards,
Franck
Previous Message
Many thanks OmerH. That could explain how the conversion was meant to work. Before reading your post I had no idea about this style of hair jewel. Learning from other's knowledge is the best part of discussing things on a board!