Russian Imperial and Noble Jewels

[magnik]

It's big pity that we can't see these grand jewels on official royal events.

 

[maria-olivia]

They are huge pictures about Nicolas II's coronation where the overwelming jewelry of the 2 Queens and the Grand-Duchesses may be seen.

 

[Marsel]

An interesting book - "Hidden Treasures of the Romanovs: Saving the Royal Jewels", has recently been published in the US (it is to be released in Britain in September). It is about the Romanov Jewels and particularly about how the jewels of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna were saved from the Vladimir Palace. The author is William Clarke, who has previously written another book about the Imperial Jewels - "The Lost Fortune of the Tsars".

The book isn’t available in Russia (I pre-ordered it on Amazon), however I came across an interesting interview of the author to a Russian news agency.

You can read parts of the interview, as well as publisher's description of the book in this blog entry.
For Russian-speaking members, you can read the interview William Clarke gave here.

 

[Elly C]

I have posted two links in the Russian Imperial area to the current exhibition at the Grimaldi Centre in Monaco called The Splendours of the Romanovs. Amongst the many wonderful exhibits is a whole room devoted to jewellery & imperial commands as well as a room with ceremonial regalia for the coronation of the czars. There is also a beautifully illustrated catalogue of the exhibition available from Amazon translated into several languages. I really loved the exhibition & would thoroughly recommend it. You can get a flavour of it in the Euronews report which I'll post a link to here.
Euronews

 

[otma1918]

these jewels are really faboulus,i love the russian imperial family,everything about them

 

[Elly C]

Thanks for the information and link, Elly C!
I wish I could visit the exhibition - it looks so interesting.

I think there are plans to transfer the exhibition to Moscow later in the year. I'm sure I read that somewhere - will see if I can find out where I got this from.

 

[caya]

Hi, just a question about the romanov jewels, about which i didn't see any discussion: when the dowager impress left russia, I guess she brought with her some of her jewels and personal belongings as well, did she manage to keep them during the rest of her exile? and if so who inherited them?

As a former impress, was she invited to royal events like weddings and coronations, and if so do we have pictures of her at that time?

Thanks for your reply, and I hope this isn't an already discussed topic...

 

[Marsel]

Jewels that belonged to the Romanov family (mostly, to Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and her family members) worth over 2 million Euroes were found in Sweden.
They include jewels by Fabergé and the Bolin family, court jewellers of several consecutive Russian Monarchs and three Swedish Kings.
To read more of the exiting finding, read this blog entry.

 

[jcbcode99]

How exciting! I must see more! This is such an important find and very exciting for us "joolies"

 

[EmpressRouge]

Jewels that belonged to the Romanov family (mostly, to Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and her family members) worth over 2 million Euroes were found in Sweden.
They include jewels by Fabergé and the Bolin family, court jewellers of several consecutive Russian Monarchs and three Swedish Kings.
To read more of the exiting finding, read this blog entry.

This is Maria Pavlova the elder, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir? I ask because Maria Pavlova the younger had married into the Swedish royal family and was divorced around that time too.

 

[Marsel]

This is Maria Pavlova the elder, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir? I ask because Maria Pavlova the younger had married into the Swedish royal family and was divorced around that time too.

Yes, the jewels belonged to Maria Pavlovna the Elder.

 

[Al_bina]

The Romanovs should be duly lauded for allowing Farberge and other jewellers to showcase their artistry. The pieces are amazing.

 

[rubies]

This sounds like something from a fairytale! Jewels found in storage etc...are you kidding me? This is so exciting!

 

[Marsel]

It is really very exciting! I can't wait for the catalogue to finally be available on the Sotheby's.

There are said to be items valued from £100-150 to £100,000-150,000 (estimated price, not starting). Maybe we'll buy something purely for the historical value, from the £100-150 range obviously. My father was an avid collector of all things Romanov, and perhaps there will be a little addition to his collection soon.

 

[ashelen]

who are the owner snow? i mean who are the joung romanovs? where do they live?

 

[Marsel]

Romanovs are scattered across the world, although most of them live in the UK, USA and Denmark. Some are even in Russia currently (like Prince Rostislav Romanov, who is expect to succeed to the claims of his uncles, Princes Nicholas and Dimitri).

As for who the jewels were returned to, I assume that all or the bulk of them will go to Maria Vladimirovna, who is the daughter of Maria Pavlovna’s eldest son. The descendants of her other children may lay claims as well, however if all of them are considered (and they include Greek, Danish, Yugoslavian, German and even British Royals), they would each receive a rather insignificant amount from the sales.

 

[Russophile]

Hmmm. What would she do with them? I wonder. . . ..

 

[Marsel]

Well, since there is an auction at Sotheby’s planned for November, I guess we know what Maria Vladimirovna (or whoever got the jewels) plan to do with them.

 

[Odette]

This is a fascinating story. It would be lovely if the Russian State bought these
jewels and exhibited them for the world to enjoy. Just when we thought everything was lost and looted. Strange turn of events.

 

[Marsel]

I doubt Russian Government will be interested in buying these pieces: they have an important historical and collector value for private collectors but are hardly significant enough on a country level.
Here is an additional picture featuring two items of jewellery to be sold at the Sotheby’s. I'm not entire sure what they are, but the one in the background looks like it might be Faberge.
.

 

[Odette]

I remember during an auction in London of items the GRF had, a lot of items for sale were brought to Greece by the Russian Grand Duchess.
A lot of Russians bid everyone else out and obtained some beautiful
pieces. Perhaps the individuals from Russia with descend upon Sothebys and get most of these pieces.
Hopefully some of them will donate them to the Russian museums. Personally I believe these jewels belong back in Russia, regardless of who buys them.

 

[queenofthelight]

For those, who love and and interested in the Romanov Jewel, I want tell that the Romanov exhibition has been displaying in Monaco since July and it ends in September.
There you can see very rare photos, jewels and other accessories, there are lots of (white) diamonds, sapphires and pearls.
The collection is great, it's from a private ones.
The special place belongs to Faberge's biography and various works.

 

[Marsel]

Thank you for the information, queenofthelight.
I wish the exebition comes to Moscow, it would be a fascinating experience!

Since someone raised the question here, I've been interested to know just how the jewels and/or money will be divided among the Romanovs.
From what I've been able to find out, Maria Vladimirovna will receive the largest portion (about 1/4 of the money and/or jewels), while the remaining 3/4 will be divided among all other descendants of Maria Pavlovna, based on the proximity and seniority of relation to the late Grand Duchess.
A share of the money raised from the auction will be dedicated to maintaining the chapel in France where Maria Pavlovna is buried.

I remember during an auction in London of items the GRF had, a lot of items for sale were brought to Greece by the Russian Grand Duchess.
A lot of Russians bid everyone else out and obtained some beautiful
pieces. Perhaps the individuals from Russia with descend upon Sotheby’s and get most of these pieces.
Hopefully some of them will donate them to the Russian museums. Personally I believe these jewels belong back in Russia, regardless of who buys them.

I agree with you, a lot of private collectors seem to be extremely interested in the upcoming sale. Many of my father’s friends (most of them historians, and some collectors as he used to be) were at our place yesterday and they were all extremely excited about the auction: although there are no extraordinary pieces, the jewels are still authentically Romanov, which makes them remarkable all by itself.
And I am pretty certain we will take part as well, although there is an apprehension that the historical value of the items will make their selling price so high it would be impossible to buy anything at all, unless you are an oligarch.

 

[Russophile]

That is DEFINATELY Faberge, Marsel. I was lucky to hold an egg in Vegas at the shop in Caeser's Palace. Mr. Russo and I were popping by. The Faberge family has the method back to do the enameling that was so prevalent in their pieces. Those 2 pieces are simple, and gorgeous!
Thanks for the link and please please post more as it becomes available!

 

[queenofthelight]

Here is some additional information, concerning the exhibition.
It presents July 11 through Semptember 13, 2009.
Grimaldi Forum Monaco – Cultural Center

 

[RubyPrincess168]

I think it's rather unfair for Maria Vladimirovna to get such a large share. If the items had been passed down to the descendants instead of put into safe keeping at the Swedish Embassy, they probably would've been divided equally among her descendants. I do like the idea of the money going to maintain her burial place.

I think the prices at auction will skyrocket, even the smallest priced items. Ideally, these items were last "owned" or "touched" by Romanovs rather than other collectors, etc. so I would think that would influence the price. It's not like other items direct from a revolutionary-era Romanov are going to pop up anytime soon.

 

[Marsel]

That is DEFINATELY Faberge, Marsel. I was lucky to hold an egg in Vegas at the shop in Caeser's Palace. Mr. Russo and I were popping by. The Faberge family has the method back to do the enameling that was so prevalent in their pieces. Those 2 pieces are simple, and gorgeous!
Thanks for the link and please please post more as it becomes available!

I agree with you, Russo: the pieces (whatever they are) look very beautiful. And thanks for confirming the one in the background is a Faberge.
I'll certainly post new pictures and/or information as they come.

Unfortunately, Dear Marsel, the exhibition expired in the end of June, 2009.
It was amazingly beautiful and picturesque! Here is some additional information, concerning the exhibition. It presents July 11 through Semptember 13, 2009.
Grimaldi Forum Monaco – Cultural Center

I can't believe I've missed the exhibition when it was here; judging by the information I could find, it was truly a unique and magnificent one.
Thank you very much for the link with additional information about the exhibition in Monaco.

I think it's rather unfair for Maria Vladimirovna to get such a large share. If the items had been passed down to the descendants instead of put into safe keeping at the Swedish Embassy, they probably would've been divided equally among her descendants. I do like the idea of the money going to maintain her burial place.
I think the prices at auction will skyrocket, even the smallest priced items. Ideally, these items were last "owned" or "touched" by Romanovs rather than other collectors, etc. so I would think that would influence the price. It's not like other items direct from a revolutionary-era Romanov are going to pop up anytime soon.

The Romanovs agreed on how the jewels and/or money are to be divided among themselves: I don't think Maria Vladimirovna could have gotten the 1/4 if other descendants were against it. Although the Romanovs are more known for their brawls over the Headship of the Imperial Family, they actually present quite a unified front on occasions like this and are generally on pretty good terms with each other.
I guess the logic behind such division was to give (posthumously) 1/4 share to each of Maria Pavlovna's 4 children. How the descendants of those 4 would divide the money and/or jewels is presumably up to them. Maria Vladimirovna is the only daughter of Maria Pavlovna's eldest son, so she sort of got Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich’s share of 1/4. I agree it was a nice gesture to devote some money to maintaining Maria Pavlovna's burial place.
According to our family friend, Sotheby's specialists are doing minimal 'restoration' (mainly cleaning) work: they, for example, will not remove the tobacco or cigarettes still found in cases. Items that still have such personal details (like traces of tobacco or cigarettes still found in cases) are likely to attract the highest bids as they prove that the objects did indeed belong to the Romanovs and were used by them.

 

[Marsel]

Just as I thought things cannot get more exiting on the Romanov Jewels front...

MI5 declassified certain documents on Tuesday and from them we learn of a rather exiting story of how some Romanov jewels (diamonds and pearls) were smuggled to England hidden in chocolate.
And yet another news report suggests that 35 tons of unaccounted for gold from Russian Imperial Gold Reserve may have been found in Lake Baikal. There is no definite information as of now because the depth of the lake makes research work extremely difficult.

Read this blog entry for more information.
For Russian-speaking members, read this article which contains information on both subjects.

 

[RubyPrincess168]

Too bad it says nothing about what became of the gems once they reached England. To think that somewhere out there, there are Romanov gems and the owners may not even know it!

 

[Marsel]

I'm sure I've read somewhere an interview with Meynell where he allegedly confessed that the gems were later sent back to Russia / Soviet Union, where they found 'good use'. Meynell was presumably given cash money to fund his newspaper, so the gems were no longer needed.
It's sad so many historical jewels are now lost or in private hands because the Soviet Government sold so many fabulous Romanov jewels for fraction of their actual prices.