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The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on September 23, 2020, 4:26 am Hi Guys I hope we are all doing well. I have finally, finally! finished my article on the Vladimir tiara: https://thebeaumonde.org/the-grand-duchess-vladimir-tiara/ As always, please let me know your thoughts, I love to hear feedback. Thanks x

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Dave on September 23, 2020, 10:43 am, in reply to "The Vladimir Tiara" Great publication Sam, I am wondering what was the grand riviere which came with the mighty Vlad. The tiara is really mighty looking. Regards, Dave. Previous Message Hi Guys I hope we are all doing well. I have finally, finally! finished my article on the Vladimir tiara: https://thebeaumonde.org/the-grand-duchess-vladimir-tiara/ As always, please let me know your thoughts, I love to hear feedback. Thanks x

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on September 24, 2020, 2:53 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" Hi Dave Thank you so much for your feedback. The Rivere became known as the Vladimir Sautoir, it was worn by Queen Mary but I don't think its been seen since [img][/img] [img][/img]

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Dave on September 24, 2020, 9:54 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" Ahhh' I see, the stones are quite large, it's hard to believe HM has so much beautiful peices in her ownership and has them all stored away. One wonders what is the value of 28000 British pounds in today's money value. Regards, Dave. Previous Message Hi Dave Thank you so much for your feedback. The Rivere became known as the Vladimir Sautoir, it was worn by Queen Mary but I don't think its been seen since [img] [/img] [img] [/img]

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by MarcA on September 23, 2020, 3:35 pm, in reply to "The Vladimir Tiara" Great piece! Did you do any of the research using a biography of the Grand Duchess? If so can you give me the details for it or if anyone else reading can tell me of an autobiography for the GD? Previous Message Hi Guys I hope we are all doing well. I have finally, finally! finished my article on the Vladimir tiara: https://thebeaumonde.org/the-grand-duchess-vladimir-tiara/ As always, please let me know your thoughts, I love to hear feedback. Thanks x

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on September 24, 2020, 3:00 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" Hi Marc I went through a stage of binge reading a lot of books on European Royalty in the late 1800s and earlier twentieth century. My favourite one is 'Splendour to Revolution – The Romanov Women – 1847 – 1928. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0312371152/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebeaumonde-21&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0312371152&linkId=26c872a31e2f4605213a8ce42c13daa2 It's a really good read about not only Grand Duchess Vladimir but Maria Feodorovrna, Maria Alexandrovna and Queen Olga of Greece. Some other good ones are 'George and Marina' https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909771155/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebeaumonde-21&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1909771155&linkId=a4fa2b8807a03c4fb02575308a691fc1 It talks a lot about Marina's early life visiting Grand Duchess Vladimir in her childhood. Victoria Melita https://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Victoria-Melita-John-Kiste/dp/0750934697 This one is about her daughter in law (who was also Maria Alexandrovna's daughter) and her interactions in Russia before the Revolution. Hope you enjoy these

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Dave on September 24, 2020, 9:57 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" All very good information which got to the point with very simple explanation. Regards, Dave. Previous Message Hi Marc I went through a stage of binge reading a lot of books on European Royalty in the late 1800s and earlier twentieth century. My favourite one is 'Splendour to Revolution – The Romanov Women – 1847 – 1928. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0312371152/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebeaumond21&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0312371152&linkId=26c872a31e2f4605213a8ce42c13daa2 It's a really good read about not only Grand Duchess Vladimir but Maria Feodorovrna, Maria Alexandrovna and Queen Olga of Greece. Some other good ones are 'George and Marina' https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909771155/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebeaumonde-21&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1909771155&linkId=a4fa2b8807a03c4fb02575308a691fc1 It talks a lot about Marina's early life visiting Grand Duchess Vladimir in her childhood. Victoria Melita https://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Victoria-Melita-John-Kiste/dp/0750934697 This one is about her daughter in law (who was also Maria Alexandrovna's daughter) and her interactions in Russia before the Revolution. Hope you enjoy these

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Kongetro on September 24, 2020, 3:02 am, in reply to "The Vladimir Tiara" Thank you very much for directing me to your post. It was a very interesting read and I enjoyed it very much. It is such an iconic piece. Previous Message Hi Guys I hope we are all doing well. I have finally, finally! finished my article on the Vladimir tiara: https://thebeaumonde.org/the-grand-duchess-vladimir-tiara/ As always, please let me know your thoughts, I love to hear feedback. Thanks x Kongetro To visit my website Regal Events use this link: https://regalevents913271078.wordpress.com/

The Grand Duchess Vladimir and her Jewels - The Series Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on September 24, 2020, 3:09 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" Hi Kontego Thank you for your feedback x I also wrote two other long reads on Grand Duchess Vladimir: https://thebeaumonde.org/the-grand-duchess-vladimir-and-her-sapphires/ https://thebeaumonde.org/the-grand-duchess-vladimir-and-her-emeralds/ I would have written one on her Rubies but there isn't really much to say other than they ended up with Grand Duke Andrei and he sold them. Also there are not as many pictures of them that I could find

Re: The Grand Duchess Vladimir and her Jewels - The Series Posted by Beth on September 24, 2020, 6:56 am, in reply to "The Grand Duchess Vladimir and her Jewels - The Series " In Once upon a diamond Prince Dimitri says that the ruby tiara was sold to Cartier during the Russian Revolution. In turn Cartier sold it to Princess Anastasia (Nancy Leeds) at the time of her son's wedding to Princess Xenia. It will be interesting to see if we can find photos of Princess Xenia wearing it, or any more information in authors such as Hans Nadelhoffer.

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Beth on September 24, 2020, 6:42 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" A very interesting article to read, thank you Sam! In Once upon a diamond Prince Dimitri notes that the weaving ribbon element at the top of the tiara is removable. Luckily for us, the images in Angela Kelly's book provide some views of the rear of the tiara. In the detail below we can see a clip mechanism at the end of the tiara. I am not sure whether the clips which can be seen at other parts of the tiara are part of the securing mechanism for the weaving ribbon element or if they are meant to lock in place a moveable arm element which carries the small eyes through which the swinging pearls or emeralds are threaded. What do others think?

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by 992235177 on September 24, 2020, 9:41 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" Thank you, I have never even noticed the ribbon before.

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Dave on September 24, 2020, 10:01 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" It has character so much more to the piece than I originally thought. Regards, Dave. Previous Message A very interesting article to read, thank you Sam! In Once upon a diamond Prince Dimitri notes that the weaving ribbon element at the top of the tiara is removable. Luckily for us, the images in Angela Kelly's book provide some views of the rear of the tiara. In the detail below we can see a clip mechanism at the end of the tiara. I am not sure whether the clips which can be seen at other parts of the tiara are part of the securing mechanism for the weaving ribbon element or if they are meant to lock in place a moveable arm element which carries the small eyes through which the swinging pearls or emeralds are threaded. What do others think?

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Al13 on September 24, 2020, 3:32 pm, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" I have to wonder if the ribbon can still be removed in view of all the alterations and repairs made since it was made for the Grand Duchess. Wasn't it completely remade by the Queen at some point?

The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on September 24, 2020, 11:04 pm, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara" What an interesting side subject! When I saw the Tiara at the exhibition in the Royal Mews that was one of the first thing I thought 'I've never noticed that before' I'd always assumed that the pendants hung from the middle of the circles. I personally don't think the ribbon can be removed anymore. If you look at the picture of Queen Elizabeth wearing the tiara without either Pearls or Emeralds you can still see the ribbon at the back. Saying that maybe it looks a bit odd from a design point of view if you take out the ribbon. [img][/img]

Re: The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon Posted by Al13 on September 25, 2020, 2:33 am, in reply to "The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon " I think the removable ribbon might have been done to accommodate the tiara when worn as on a kokoshnik headdress. There was also mention of it being damaged in transit, correct? I wouldn't be surprised if the ribbon sustained some damage during those times. When Queen Mary wore it, to me it didn't look like it was as wide as when the Grand Duchess wore it, perhaps a result of the alteration of the ribbon? By the way, great posts! It seems I have found a new blog to read.

Re: The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on September 25, 2020, 4:51 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon " Another interesting possibility, I suppose if the frame were to be stitched on to a fabric headband then removing the ribbon would make it lay flatter. I’m not sure exactly what Garrard would have done in regards to repairing it after Alfred Stopford got it out of Russia but I suppose as there would no longer have been a need to sew it on to a backing then maybe they would have just soldered it all together as one piece. Not to say that they couldn’t have removed the ribbon again if instructed to but the stones would have to be un set and that might have led to damaging them for the future. Thanks for wonderful feedback, I do like doing these long reads (when I stop procrastinating). I think I might do the Cambridge Emeralds/Delhi Durbhar next so stay stuned

Re: The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon & repairs etc Posted by Beth on September 29, 2020, 8:15 am, in reply to "Re: The Vladimir Tiara - Ribbon " Apologies for not having been able to join in this discussion at the time. The following information comes from Hugh Robert, The Queen's diamonds p. 196. It may help us understand what repairs were undertaken. 1. The Garrard inventory of the Grand Duchess' jewels January 1920 showed that 4 pearls were missing and 3 diamonds were loose. 2. Roberts quotes from Garrard's account for repairing the tiara showing that 2 missing diamonds were replaced when the tiara was repaired, restored and renovated for Queen Mary. I presume that Queen Mary had supplied other pearls to replace the 4 missing ones. 3. Roberts states that Queen Mary had the tiara adapted to take the emeralds in 1924. 4. Roberts states that the frame was completely remade by Garrard in 1988. The photos shown in Angela Kelly, Dressing the Queen are modern photos, most of which seem to have been taken specially for the book -- so they are post 1988 and will show the tiara as it is since the frame was remade. Those photos show a lot of clips and screws along the ribbon section of the back of the tiara, so I think that the ribbon can still be removed. The following is very blurry; however, on the right hand side close to the curve of the circle, a screw is visible. I have (rather unsuccessfully) placed an arrow near the screw. I have wondered if the adjustments made by Queen Mary in 1924, so that the tiara could be worn with the Cambridge emerald drops, are the moveable arm mechanisms with the small loops through which the pearl and emerald drops are threaded. The detail below shows the curved arm being held up by Angela Kelly as she hooks in one of the emeralds. Another screw can also be seen on the right side.

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Laurent F on September 24, 2020, 5:39 pm, in reply to "The Vladimir Tiara" Bravo for your pages, great job !

Re: The Vladimir Tiara Posted by Jonathan Phillips [aka JPRP]. on February 13, 2024, 3:07 am, in reply to "The Vladimir Tiara" Hello my fellow jewel fanatics, its a pleasure to join so many well informed and knowledgeable people here. My first [tiny] contributary post is to note that the £28,000 Queen Mary expended buying the Vladimir Tiara, and the collet riviere she [subsequently] had made into the spectacular 'Vladimir Sautoir' represents a staggering £1,650.000 in todays money. Doubtless we all consider the items 'well worth' the cost, but one wonders what the 'careful with Money' George V thought ! The Sautoir must [now] be amongst the most valuable items in in the BRF Jewel collection, so its a pity it hasn't been seen since before WW11. I'm hope Queen Camilla will have a will to bring it out of the [stygian] gloom of the vaults, so it may dazzle as its intended to. HM could certainly 'carry it off] !

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