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Lady John Ward
Posted by Beth on November 18, 2019, 4:41 pm
When Jean Templeton Reid, daughter of the former US Ambassador to the Court of St James (Whitelaw Reid), married John Ward, son of the first Earl of Dudley, in 1908 the press reported that she received the following gifts.
There are very few photos of the new Mrs John Ward (later Lady Ward) in grand jewels available, although she features frequently in the social pages.
I have never identified the tiara given to her by her mother; however, I suspect that the pearl and diamond earrings which can be seen in many photos are perhaps those given to her by her brother.
As Mrs Whitelaw Reid was Elizabeth Mills, a sister of Ogden Mills, she was a wealthy person and so I suspect that the jewels she gave her daughter would have been made by leading jewellers in the latest style.
Some photos which I found.
closer view of the pendant
The pearl and diamond earrings feature frequently.
I haven't found any information about the stylish diamond choker seen in the photo below, but again the earrings can be seen.
The most interesting jewel which I found was the tiara worn by her daughter-in-law, but I know nothing about it.
closer view of tiara
I think a very similar tiara was sold recently...
Posted by Janet on November 19, 2019, 5:39 am, in reply to "Lady John Ward"
What do we think? It looks very similar in style to me but the description suggests the tiara belonged to a Russian family.
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When Jean Templeton Reid, daughter of the former US Ambassador to the Court of St James (Whitelaw Reid), married John Ward, son of the first Earl of Dudley, in 1908 the press reported that she received the following gifts.
There are very few photos of the new Mrs John Ward (later Lady Ward) in grand jewels available, although she features frequently in the social pages.
I have never identified the tiara given to her by her mother; however, I suspect that the pearl and diamond earrings which can be seen in many photos are perhaps those given to her by her brother.
As Mrs Whitelaw Reid was Elizabeth Mills, a sister of Ogden Mills, she was a wealthy person and so I suspect that the jewels she gave her daughter would have been made by leading jewellers in the latest style.
Some photos which I found.
closer view of the pendant
The pearl and diamond earrings feature frequently.
I haven't found any information about the stylish diamond choker seen in the photo below, but again the earrings can be seen.
The most interesting jewel which I found was the tiara worn by her daughter-in-law, but I know nothing about it.
closer view of tiara
Re: I think a very similar tiara was sold recently...
Thanks Janet! The two tiaras are very similar, but I don't think they are the same. What a good memory you have to spot the similarities!
One thing the tiara which was sold recently suggests is that the Ward tiara may have been made by Cartier. But, of course, similarity in style does not prove the Ward tiara is a Cartier item!
Re: I think a very similar tiara was sold recently...
Unless the text for the provenance is off and the tiara sold and then passed down the line of the family that bought it there can be very few Russian aristocratic families who managed to hang onto their jewels.
This is of course unless the tiara passed to someone who had perhaps prior to 1917 married outside of Russia and was given or inherited the tiara then.
Very interesting provenance beautiful tiara and fetched a very good price.
Previous Message
Thanks Janet! The two tiaras are very similar, but I don't think they are the same. What a good memory you have to spot the similarities!
One thing the tiara which was sold recently suggests is that the Ward tiara may have been made by Cartier. But, of course, similarity in style does not prove the Ward tiara is a Cartier item!
on November 18, 2019, 4:41 pm
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