Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Royal and Historic Jewellery in Museums Part 2)

The Franconian State History Museum has received a Royal gift  to mark contemporary jewellery design. The gift was sponsored by Princess Augusta and donated to the museum as a record of design in jewellery for the first part of the new millennium. The piece, a tiara, was specifically made for exhibition purposes and thus has never been worn by anybody except posed by Princess Augusta for  this particular photo shoot commemorating the event. This is to at least allow the tiara its proper context once. 

The platinum and diamond tiara can be seen in this detailed photo. It is of obvious modern design with clean lines and an overall futuristic look that will make it look not out of place in a Sci-Fi epic. The piece was made by Franconia's top jewellery firm, Bartier and as such stands as testament of the pinnacle of Europan craftsmanship.

Here Princess Augusta poses with he gift.

Here the tiara can be seen in detail in its proper context for the first and only time. It will from now on be exhibited at the museum in its Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition Hall.

On the other hand a historic jewellery piece from the Franconian Royal Collection, the Goutte de la Mer Sapphire Tiara will be leaving the museum.

The sapphire tiara may be returned to join the newly established Franconaian Crown Jewel Exhibit at the Chateau Lafitte in Lyon which means we may see it worn by a meber of the Franconian Royal Family in pretense or in an official photo if Prince Louis of Franconia ever gets married.

The Goutte de la Mer Sapphire Tiara was originally made in 1804 for Princess Marie Louise, Duchesse D'Angelille upon her marriage to the Duke of Viletta. She was the only surviving female granddaughter of the last King of Franconia. She died childless and her jewellery was dispersed through her husband's family descendants until in 1990 the tiara was purchased by the museum.

Tiaras and Trinkets Tuesdays (Jewellery available to the "Punk Princess")

Princess Oktavia Von Hohen und Silberstein as always has had a talent for attention grabbing. This has found great impetus in her having access to one of Europa's more impressive historic jewellery collections. Let us take a look at some of those jewels and also the Princess'unique way of wearing them in combination with very modern and sometimes controversial fashion. 

One of the iconic appearances of the Punk Princess as Oktavia has become colloquially become known can be seen in this photo. She is wearing the Von Hohen und Silberstein Princely Ruby Parure in tandem with a feathered glam rock ensemble by Madame Frumsetta. 

The rubies date from the early 19th century and consist of a tiara, bracelet, "De Resile" necklace and opera length "Sautoire" necklace. The set is lavishly set with extremely large and high quality square cut rubies embellished with diamonds and a king's ransom in pearls. It is rumoured that the tiara so impressed the Queen of Scotney that she immediately ordered a copy of her own after a visit to the Princely palace. 

Princess Oktavia has a very bold personality and does not shy away from period pieces that may seem impractical to wear in the new millennium. In this photo we see her wear a gigantic diamond choker made in the early 20th century when chokers were fashionable and seemingly all pain was endured for it. She does gain a lot of press for being so bold and we get to see jewels that otherwise would languish in dark vaults. We commend her for this "sacrifice". In the photo above she pairs the titanic choker with a contrasting small and delicate tiara as if to say on purpose; "look at the necklace". 

Deliberate in all she does, for a formal photo with her new husband, the Princess chose a far more elegant and regal dress coupled with cool sapphires. The edginess of the dress still alluded to her "street cred" but did foreshadow the calmer vibes of future family life. In this photo she pairs the Von Hohen und Silberstein Sapphires with earrings from her husband's D'Bacqueme Family Jewels. 

The Sapphire and Diamond Tiara and Necklace is of a more modern design and was made at the height of the Germanic Empire just before the Great War. The Von Hohen und Silbesteins are one of very few Noble Families to have survived the war and its aftermath due to their extensive business interests and industrial clout. 

Another set available to the Princess is this loose mix of Yellow Diamond and Topaz jewellery. All pieces were made separately at various times but with obvious intent on being worn in combination with each other or even jewels from entirely other sets. 

There are apparently more jewels in the Von Hohen und Silberstein Vaults and we cannot wait to see them on the red carpet along with all the D'Bacquemme jewellery availble to our Punk Princess. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Jewellery worn by the Shahbahnou of Perlistan)

We have seen more and more of the pretender Shahbahnou of Perlistan and a few weekends ago we saw her wearing one of the spectacular parts of the Crown Kewels of Perlistan for an official photo representing her country and people's historic heritage. For this reason we wanted to feature the jewellery worn by Her Imperial Highness Shahnaz Farah Diba the Shahbahnou of Perlistan.

Here we can see one of the photos from the aforementioned photoshoot where the Shahbahnou wore the Empress Crown from the Imperial Perlistani Crown Jewel Collection.

Set in solid gold with large top quality sapphires and emeralds the Empress Crown dates back a mere half a century. The reason being that in Perlistani traditional culture women had no public authority and where kept (culturally not physically) within domestic confines. As such the monarchy and Shah had no role for a consort seen in public. However, the old traditions made way for women to be allowed more public freedoms and thus the wife of the Shah gained a title, Shahbahnou and a crown in her role as consort.

The Crown Emerald Parure of Perlistan is a matching set of platinum, gold, yellow diamond and emerald jewellery made for the wife of the last Shah to wear at their coronation in the late 70's. It is part of the Crown Jewels and has been worn very rarely by the current head of the Imperial claim to the Peacock Throne. 

This detail photo was taken for the Imperial Archive of Perlistan and shows the Crown Emeralds up close. 

Amethysts are very common in the Middle East and thus the Perlistani Imperial Jewels include among its ranks some of the largest and best quality specimens. This can be seen in the set of diamonds and amethyst made brand new for the first Shahbahnou, our current pretender's grandmother.

The Amethyst Parure has no earrings but does include two very large stones of extremely high quality. 

The current Shahbahnou's mother was a fortunate woman. She was the second ever to have a public role and for this reason received as a sequence of many jewellery gifts. This spectaculary valuable parure is made up from pink and yellow diamonds of very high quality and as such ranks it as one of the most valuable sets on earth. 

Here we can see the coloured diamonds in detail. Their quality belie the wealth of the Pahlavi Dynasty who had access to the Perlistani mines. 

In this photo, taken at the 2012 Christmas Ball in Arcwhite, Farah Diba made her first major public appearance as Shahbahnou in pretense. For the historical event she chose a spectacular tiara set with one of the world's largest diamonds and ruby earrings and necklace to compliment her dress.

The Perlistan Rubies and most of the Pahlavi Jewellery Collection survived the fall of the Imperial House of Perlistan. Some jewels remained in Perlistan as part of the National Treasure exhibited in the country's capital. Others like this set left with the Imperial family in exile. The rubies like the greatest part of the collection, was made for the current Shahbahnou's mother.

An ancient legend tells of how the great warrior Emperor Shah Ahurah killed a dragon in the year 989 and discovered a huge diamond in its belly. As the red hot stone cooled it was said to break into 4 parts that ended up being known to history as the Perlistan Diamonds. Today, three of those stones the Perlistan II, III and IV, weighing 65cts, 34cts and 31cts are set in the Pahlavi Tiara made for the last Shah's wife.

This set of antique jewellery is reputed to come from a hoard of jewels taken as spoil from a Hindi Maharaja in the early 1800's. They have languished in Perlistani government vaults until our current pretender chose to wear them in this modern era. It creates a very strong sense of historic continuity and reiterates the Shahbahnou's new official role as custodian of Perlistani Royal history.

The Imperial Red Peacock Parure is an official set of Rubies that remain as part of the Crown Jewels of Perlistan. They are on permanent display, and as from 2013, are available for the Shahbanou in pretense to wear with permission from the democratic government of Perlistan at official events representing her country. 

The Crown Collection of Perlistan includes, almost as if required, a demi parure of sapphires. It has been worn for the first time this year for the official visit of the Shahbahnou to Hanoveria. 

The necklace design of the Sapphire Demi Parure is very traditionally Perlistani in design, where the tiara tips its hat to its Middle Eastern heritage while also hinting strongly at a Europan look. When not worn, this set may be viewed as part of the Crown Jewel Display in Perlistan. 

Farah Diba inherited many business interests and some jewellery in her own right directly from her parents. Among this was a collection of unset diamonds which set has had made up in 2013 as a very distinctly Perlistani style necklace of spectacular proportions. We saw the necklace for the first time this year when the Shahbahnou visited the Queen of Hispania on an official tour.

The last part of the jewels we have seen Farah wear is this fringe necklace. It is reputed to have been a gift from a "friend" and as such would be her personal property. If more information comes to light we will be sure to share it here on the blog. 

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Princess Augusta Sells Tiaras)

Her Imperial Highness, Princess Augusta of Scot-Britania has released a short press statement concerning rumours of her selling Imperial treasures. She did so exclusively to this blog as she is quoted as trusting it "...as the most authentic media source on Royalty in the world". The Princess has admitted to selling two parures of famous jewellery in private sales towards the end of 2014. However she was the legal owner in her private capacity and both sets' Royal provenance was not directly linked to the Imperial House of Aldarian. The Princess, as a world renowned art and antique jewellery dealer also stated that she often acquires pieces for their investment value with the intent on selling later at an opportune time. Her wearing of said jewellery in public does not make it the property or the historic heritage of the the Imperial Family. The Princess does act as custodian of many such Imperial pieces and would never dream of selling them on the open market. 

The first set Princess Augusta admitted she sold is the Bunting Emerald Parure. She acquired it in the United States in the late 90's from the exiled family of the last Baron Bunting and now with appreciated value sold it in a private sale to a buyer who's identity must legally remain confidential. 

The Princess wore the emeralds on several occasions to dazzling effect. She said that the right buyer came at the right time and thus we may never see her wearing emeralds again. We may of course keep on the lookout for the set as it may or may not have ended up in one of our other famous Royals' coffers. 

The spectacular Drop Sapphire Parure came to Princess Augusta from a collector who reputedly bought it from one of the fleeing Ruskian Noble Families after the Great War. The collector and the family who sold it still remains legally confidential but Princess Augusta being privy to the knowledge admitted to selling it back to its rightful owners when the opportunity arose. 

In this photo we see her wearing the sapphire which was apparently one of her favourites and very difficult to sells for that reason. However conviction and eventually profit got the better of her and the set returned "home". We look forward to seeing who ends up being the ellusive Ruskian Noble Family as a descendant wears it for the first time in almost a century. 

Memory Monday (The Crown Prince Imperial Officially Returns From Exile)

Finally we can get to posting this pivotal story. The main news event that took place over the last two months was undoubtedly the official return of the Crown Prince Imperial to reside as dual citizen within the borders of Scotney and Britania. The event sets new standards in international protocol and has been reported to be the most popular political event of the century.

The international news worthy event was covered in depth by the media as can be seen in this Proclaimer front page article. It is boldly stated to be everything but a "restoration of monarchy" in what has become the staunchest republic countries in Europa, yet at the same time garners fanfares and glitz on par with pre-revolution Royal pomp. 

The Crown Prince Imperial and his much celebrated wife Odeliah arrived by Britania Government Jet on June 11. They were welcomed by an honour guard and the minister of the interior. The Crown Princess Imperial looked chic yet regal wearing fashionable faux fur and parts of the Imperial and Royal Crown Jewel Collections. The couple have over the last 18 months only visited the Crown Prince Imperial's homeland and former Empire as their exile was lifted in the wake of Empress Crystobel's initial overtures of friendship and then tragic assassination. The public sentiment toward their former Imperial Family then speedily changed from initial skepticism to virtual popular frenzy as this year saw not just the visit of the Crown Prince Imperial but his actual official return to reside in his homeland. 

After Their Imperial Highnesses' triumphal arrival at the airport they were scheduled for an evening banquet hosted in their honour at the Palace of Parliament in the Britanian Capital. The banquet was attended by leading government officials and the Duke of Swann. 

The couple arrived in state and was welcomed by a large crowd of onlookers cheering wildly. 

In this photo we see from left: The Duke of Swann, The Chancellor of Britania and the Crown Prince Imperial couple. 

An official handshake of friendship and final welcome to the Isles of Scot-Britania cemented the evening's photo opportunities. 

Princess Odeliah or rather The Crown Princess Imperial looked truly regal in a plain cut mini dress off-set by the Imperial Pearls from the Crown Jewel Collection. 

Literary days before the Crown Prince Imperial took up residence in Britania, the news hit of the discovery made in Reichenthal of historic jewels and the controvertial Imperial Throne of Scot-Britania. After negotiations it was agreed by the Syldavian Ministry of Foreign affairs and the governments of Scotney and Britania that it should be returned to its original place in the Cathedral of the Lion Heart on the border of the two nations. It was received there by the Crown Prince Imperial as the now official custodian of the history and historic artifacts of the his former Empire. 

The throne has since been returned to the Cathedral of the Lion Heart where it permanently resides in its traditional place in the King's Prayer Chapel.

Another piece of lost history rediscovered in the secret vault in Reichenthal was the Nuptial Coronet of Scotney. It was last worn at the wedding of Empress Crystobel, the Crown Prince Imperial's mother. It was thought lost during the 1996 as so many other pieces of historic jewellery. However a twist of fate led to its secret preservation and it was returned along with the throne. it will be displayed alongside all the other famous Crown Jewels associated with the Isles of Scot-Britania in a new Crown Jewel display to be prepared for public viewing. 

The government of Scotney commissioned State Portraits of Princess Odeliah to be photographed in celebration of the return of the Crown Prince Imperial. These photos were shot at the official residence of the Imperial couple in Scotney, Stirling Castle. 

The official portrait of the Crown Princess Imperial sees her wearing Imperial Sapphires along with the Order of the Diamond Star, the highest order of chivalry in Europa. 

This detailed photo shows the jewellery complimenting the Princess' beauty and grace. 

The Princess also wears the diamond star brooch that forms part of the Imperial Crown jewel Collection on her waist. 

The breathtaking series of photos took on a white theme to emphasis the peaceful overtones of a new beginning that the couple's faith filled decision to live within the borders of the former Empire symbolizes.

We truly hope and pray that the joy of the last few months will only increase as time moves forward into a bold future not in denial of the lessons learnt from the past.  

Tiaras and Trinkets on Tuesday (Jewellery worn by Lady Arcwhite)

Through the centuries the Ladies Arcwhite have remained a behind-closed-doors head of state never showing face in public. The government and government officials were very real but the actual Lady Arcwhite was kept from general public view and when she might appear was strictly managed and only in front of selected assemblies of the initiate. However the current Lady Arcwhite decided to break the mould by not just stepping into the media glare but also to physically travel beyond the borders of her native islands. As an independently wealthy person in her own right she has displayed a jewellery collection on par with the greatest historic collections of the preeminent Royal houses. In most cases these pieces are of brand new manufacture especially designed according to her bespoke requirements. 

The photo above pictures Lady Arcwhite on her second ever public appearance in 2012 in her favourite tiara and most impressive necklace. The necklace was a recent purchase made in 2010 by the Lady Arcwhite from the then dwindling private collection of the exiled Shahbanou of Perlistan. It is often regarded as the most expensive necklace on earth due to the size of diamonds. The tiara was made for her by Olaf Isriksen, Arcwhite's most prestigious jeweller and her personal favourite. The two pieces are perfectly complimentary of each other and off-sets their wearer on the level of any historic empress. 

Since her first appearance Lady Arcwhite's jewellery collection has increased considerably. The tiara seen above with matching earrings was first worn last year to a State Reception in honour of The Crown Prince of Ophiri. Of similar configuration to the previous Isriksen Tiara this one alludes to a crown in its design due to the inclusion of crosses running across the top. The tiara also has the capacity to have different coloured stones being alternatively added or removed from the center of the crosses making it extremely versatile. 

This photo shows the Arcwhite Coronet Tiara as it has become known with the crosses free from coloured stone centers.

Black diamonds may seem like an antithesis as far a Lady Arcwhite is concerned but she had this demi-parure made in 2011 and has worn it with dramatic effect. Stark contrast seems to be a hallmark of her personality and preference in style. 

Having set a bit of a standard for always wearing big imposing jewels, we were surprised to see Lady Arcwhite sport this petite tiara in 2012 for the State Visit of the Duke of Swann. The tiara may be worn as a necklace as well and is yet another versatile piece. 

For non-tiara events Lady Arcwhite often chooses the sleek look wearing only dramatic earrings. These gold, tourmaline, topaz and rose quartz earrings are another Isriksen masterpiece made especially for Lady Arcwhite in 2011. 

Lady Arcwhite's "ice queen" persona is purposefully accentuated by this particular set of sapphires. She apparently enjoys the association with the fantasy title as her island realm of Arwhite is an " ice kingdom" on the real world stage. These sapphires are reputed although not documented to have been two eyes set in a an ancient Viking Idol and came into the coffers of the Ladies of the Veil somewhere in the early 1100's. This legend lends an air of mystique to the set but the stones are of modern cut and the two spectacular pieces are documented to be in the private ownership of Lady Arcwhite. The design also lends an almost alien feel to the wearer as the tiara is not of traditional design or even worn on the head in the traditional manner.

The unique design and spectacular size of the sapphires makes this set of jewellery a signature set worn by the unique and impressive Lady Arcwhite.

Pink being a softer colour may also not readily be expected from the severe style of Lady Arcwhite but as seen before she wears it to great effect accentuating her bold femininity yet not detracting from the fearsome drama we've come to expect from this icon of style. This set of Imperial Topaz earrings and necklace was made for Lady Arcwhite by her favourite jeweller in 2011. 

Blazing diamonds in large tiaras or massive earrings are as appropriate to lady Arcwhite as this extremely sleek and simple strand of diamonds and pearls. The necklace was first seen in 2011 and the earrings were originally seen in 2012. 

Lady Arcwhite also needs to wear some jewellery for the record books as her competitive personality vies for the international spotlight. The Arcwhite Brown Diamond Tiara is set with the tenth largest Diamond in the world. The 75ct  chocolate coloured diamond is known as the Pirate's Eye. The diamonds is reputed to be cut from a single stone along with the other brown diamonds that form part of the Hanoverian Brown Diamond Parure . This has never been verified through chemical analysis. The Pirate's Eye came to the Islands of Arcwhite when a raiding fleet of pirates attempted to ransack the Monastery of the Veil on Arcwhite in 1690. They failed miserably and ended up losing their treasure to the nuns rather than adding the nuns' treasure to their spoils. The stone was said to have been originally won in a gamble lost by a Hispanian Prince to the Pirate Captain Kraken. This set of jewellery is considered the property of Lady Arcwhite but the historic Diamond belongs to the Order of the Veil who holds it in trust for the nation. As such this is seen as one of the few State owned pieces that Lady Arcwhite has worn in public. 

The Arcwhite Icicle Tiara is considered to be synonymous with the ruler of Arcwhite for obvious visual reasons but also historically and due to the fact that the first ever photos of a Lady Arcwhite was seen with her wearing this most awesome piece. Of unknown manufacture date it is recorded in Arcwhite history as the Crown of the Lady. It has apparently had this role since 1777 but there is no painted or photographic record. The tiara was worn to the 2010 Christmas Ball where the current Lady Arcwhite stepped onto the world stage in front of the international media for the first time, forever searing the image of her into our collective consciousness. She has since worn it for the first ever State Portrait of a Lady Arcwhite. This portrait can be seen above. The tiara is made of pearls diamonds and carved iridescent rock crystal and it workmanship is speculated to date from the mid 1700's but can not be conclusively proven.

The Icicle Tiara can be seen above in its antique fitted case which definitely dates from the early 1800's. 

The historic jewellery collection of the Lady Arcwhite includes an authentic 14th Century Horned Headdress. This piece that belongs entirely to the Ladies of the Veil in trust of the nation is often seen as the Crown of Arcwhite even though technically no such "crown" is officiated in Arcwhite. It is the oldest peice of documented jewellery worn by a Lady Arcwhite and is only worn when Heads of State convene officially in the capital city. Thus the wearing of the headdress took place n 2012 when the Royal Christmas Ball was held in Arcwhite and was documented for the first time.  

This close up of the medieval headdress shows it in all its antique detail. It is made entirely of silver and is set with aquamarine stones.

Lady Arcwhite owns one of the most spectacular collections of jewellery in Europa and has access to some very historical pieces. We can always look forward to her truly leaving her mark on the red carpet and hope to see her reappear for our pleasure soon.