Royal and Noble Families of Italy Jewellery

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Princejohnny25

How old is she. Somebody needs to tell her to stop with the nip and tucking.

Princess Marina was born on 12 February 1935, which means she has just turned 71.

[Saragli]

Thanks Warren. I like her earings but the necklace is strange.

[Gita]

I agree Princejohnny25, I like the earings but the necklace is peculiar.

[Mandy]

Does anyone know if that necklace can be converted into a tiara. Wouldn't it look great! :)

[HRHAmy]

Exactly Mandy! I was thinking the same thing, the emarald necklace would look beauitful as a tiara. They should convert it.:)

[Jackswife]

I'm an emerald nut I'll admit, and that to me is one heck of a parure! A fantastic set that to me is very reminiscent of some of the Iranian Imperial jewels. Maybe from the same jeweler??? Utterly breath-taking.

[Saragli]

Is that necklace all one piece or is it a bunch of different necklaces. All together they look weird. The emeralds are very nice though.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Jackswife

I'm an emerald nut I'll admit, and that to me is one heck of a parure! A fantastic set that to me is very reminiscent of some of the Iranian Imperial jewels. Maybe from the same jeweler??? Utterly breath-taking.

Yes, it has a very definite Iranian-style to it, but less chunky and clunky. Possibly a wedding gift from the Shah, but the earrings and (re-set?) necklace are more likely part of Queen Margherita's emerald parure.

Described in "The Queens' Jewels" by Vincent Meylan, this parure of Colombian emeralds "of a quality rarely found" ranging in size up to 42 carats, was thought to be intact until 1983 (the death of King Umberto II). It was then (?) disperesed among his children and/or sisters; some was auctioned, some is still owned. As more old photographs have come to light the size of this parure has increased to include a tiara and another necklace, but the nature of the complete parure and its dispersal is a mystery. The provenance is almost certainly the Kingdom of Saxony (reflecting the wealth of the old Saxon Kingdom): Queen Margherita's mother was a daughter of Johan I, King of Saxony.

[Nefertiti]

I found these emerald earrings on Sotheby's web site (photo is from Sotheby's). Don't they look just like the ones that Princess Marina is wearing? Here's the description:

The floral cluster tops set with 2 round emeralds weighing 3.21 carats, the pendants set with 2 pear-shaped emeralds weighing 27.65 carats, further decorated throughout with 4 pear-shaped diamonds weighing 4.80 carats, 20 marquise-shaped diamonds weighing 7.60 carats and 30 round diamonds weighing 10.76 carats, mounted in platinum, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, numbered 17625, maker's marks, assay marks, pendants detachable.

Accompanied by three AGL reports stating that three of the emeralds (13.16, 13.08 and 1.06 carats) are of Colombian origin; moderate clarity enhancement (Oil Type Treatment/ Canadian Balsam). The fourth emerald 1.37 carats) originates from Sandawana; faint to moderate clarity enhancement Oil Type Treatment/ Canadian Balsam).

[bbb]

good job nef, i think they look the same
thats some serious nip and tuck if she's really 71 wow

[emily62_1]

I'm so proud and happy, being an It citizenship, well, who could even think The Savoia Jewels would have gone back to the Family ???? Our Govt. refused it to King Umberto II many times- as our poor last King was refused everything by It Govt.- even to be able to die in Italy, he only had weeks to live, back in March '83, so he thought he could dare to ask to die in Napoli or Rome, many of us were eager to see him for the last time and give him our farewells, but... well, that's another story- E. Filiberto said on TV he will ask a Museum, maybe in rome, to show the jewels-:) :) :)

[ALVARO LUIS]

Originally Posted by Warren

Yes, it has a very definite Iranian-style to it, but less chunky and clunky. Possibly a wedding gift from the Shah, but the earrings and (re-set?) necklace are more likely part of Queen Margherita's emerald parure.

Described in "The Queens' Jewels" by Vincent Meylan, this parure of Colombian emeralds "of a quality rarely found" ranging in size up to 42 carats, was thought to be intact until 1983 (the death of King Umberto II). It was then (?) disperesed among his children and/or sisters; some was auctioned, some is still owned. As more old photographs have come to light the size of this parure has increased to include a tiara and another necklace, but the nature of the complete parure and its dispersal is a mystery. The provenance is almost certainly the Kingdom of Saxony (reflecting the wealth of the old Saxon Kingdom): Queen Margherita's mother was a daughter of Johan I, King of Saxony.

The Emerald necklace princess Marina wore was loaned to her.
That necklace was auctioned by sothebys few years ago for more than a million dollars, it belonged to the state of the late Janice Levine and was auctioned in New York. before the auction, part of the jewellery collection form that state went on tour in U.S. and Europe, and some pieces were loaned to famous persons.

[christinacg]

I would really love to see all the pieces from their collection prior to their exile. Its a pity many were sold. I wonder where those pieces ended up?

[Marengo]

Princes Marie-Gabriella is selling some of her jewels at Christies. Three tiara's are among them. See this post by Laurent on the RJWMB.

[jcbcode99]

I cannot believe they are selling those pieces! Isn't that pearl tiara one that was owned by Empress Josephine? I hate to see jewels sold, but maybe a Royal will buy the tiaras--they are stunning as well as historical.

[RubyPrincess168]

It's only fair to split up family jewels equally but it's so heartbreaking when family members sell off their share. I hope they stay within a royal family!

[Marengo]

If they stayed within the family there would be no need to put them up for auction, so I am afraid that they will soon adorn the head of the mistress of a russion oil-zillionaire or something simular.

A pity the Belgians didn't bother to buy the Flanders pearl tiara back, it is such an historic piece. I believe it once belonged to Empress Carlota of Mexico too.

[Prince of Chota]

I will never understand the Belgian jewel situation. Even the RF could probably afford to buy it back with personal funds. I always just tell myself that these pieces will at least go to someone who will care for them and not alter them because they did belong to royalty, but perhaps I fool myself. (sighs)...
That turquoise parure is rather pretty.

Oh, and you are right, Marengo, that is Carlota de Mexico's pearl tiara, famously worn in several photographs by Queen Maria Jose.

[Prince of Chota]

Originally Posted by Lady Marmalade

Thank you Warren, I will check into that book. :)

I read that many pieces, especially historical ones, were sold at auction in the 1980's...including many tiaras. I hope the famous Savoy Knot one is still within the family and the bandeau one Marie Josie received from her parents is with them as well.

I know pearls were very big with Queen Margarita...I think I spelled her name wrong..oh well...I tired. :)

Does anyone have pictures of these pieces that were auctioned, or know specifically which ones these were?

[Hans]

Originally Posted by Prince of Chota

Does anyone have pictures of these pieces that were auctioned, or know specifically which ones these were?

If the Belgian Royal Family never had given away so much jewels as wedding-presents, they had a fabulous collection today !!