The so-called Midnight Diadem is the work of the Danish jeweller Charlotte Lynggaard of the company Ole Lynggaard in Copenhagen, jeweller to the royal court since 2008. The tiara is made of silver, white gold, moonstones and brilliants, all of it held in the colours associated with the moon.Created in 2009, it was first seen at the exhibition “The Tiara – Queen of Jewels, Jewel of Queens” held at the Amalienborg Museum between 14 March and 2 August 2009. During the exhibition Crown Princess Mary borrowed it for the Prince Consort’s 75th birthday party at Fredensborg in June and she wore it again at Fredensborg on Queen Margrethe’s 70th birthday on 16 April.
The price of the diadem is 1.5 million DKK and it is understood that the Crown Princess has not bought it but reached an agreement with Ove Lynggaard whereby the firm retains ownership of it but reserves the exclusive right to use it for the Crown Princess.
This is very beautiful and interesting. Do you know what type of plant the diadem represents? I am wondering if these are laurel leaves.
ReplyDeleteBecause of construction work going on at home I do not have access to any of my books at present, so I cannot check the catalogue, but I believe the diadem is not made to represent any particular plant. I may be wrong about this, though. And laurel leaves are of course an old symbol connected with rulers - Napoléon I was for instance crowned with a laurel wreath made entirely of gold rather than with a traditional crown.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, because the leaves are extremely naturalistic, in fact perhaps cast from real leaves, very similar to those of the laurel, and in the style of Buccellati. I think it is very beautiful and looks both antique and modern, and has a certain becoming modesty.
ReplyDeleteI have now been able to excavate the exhibition catalogue, but I am afraid it does not say anything about any particular plant having been the inspiration for this tiara. What I also like about this piece of jewellery is that it somehow matches Crown Princess Mary's grand ruby tiara, which is also quite naturalistic and was earlier in the shape resembling a laurel wreath.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous tiara! I particularly like the polished unfaceted moonstones - almost like a wreath of berries and leaves, but in a pale moonlight palette. It looks particularly beautiful on Crown Princess Mary, with her dark hair and pale skin
ReplyDeleteIt was designed with the Golden Wattle in mind, which is the national flower of Australia. Only appropriate for Mary to wear it. I think Fred shld buy it and make it part of the Royal Collection. It is a stunning contemporary piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you for adding this information, but please respect the rule that comments should be signed - - preferably by a name, but an initial or a nick will also be accepted. Normally anonymous comments will not be published, but I made an exception here as you added a point of interest.
ReplyDelete