The Princess Thyra Sapphire Tiara.
A unique and rare Royal sapphire and diamond tiara, set with five cabochon natural sapphires, which can be exchanged with cabochon turquoises, as well as numerous old mine, rose and single-cut diamonds.
Designed with five upright, foliated and scrolling heart-shaped ornaments, decreasing size from the middle to each side, respectively set with cabochon natural sapphires at the center encircled by numerous rose-cut diamonds, the ornaments adorned with old mine, rose and single-cut diamonds, upper parts with stylized floral and buds including the centered three ornaments with pear-shaped old mine-cut diamonds, the two latter upper parts with two old mine-cut diamonds formed as a pear, lower parts with stylized floral, in between and to the back with minor foliated flowers, set with rose-cut diamonds and presumably natural pearls, mounted in 14k gold, rose gold and silver on a curved circlet base. Enclosed five cabochon natural turquoises to be swopped with the sapphires. Apparently no maker’s mark but presumably the jewellery manufacturing workshop E. Wolff & Co., London. Late 19th century. Later, supposedly in the 1920s, a brown velvet ribbon, set with several single-cut Rhinestones, was sewn on the base. Accompanied by an original fitted leather case from A. Michelsen in Copenhagen, purveyor to the Royal Danish Cout, exterior with floral gold print, bottom with a hidden compartment, lined with red velvet and silk, lid interior marked in gold print below the Danish King’s crown: Michelsen, Kgl. Hof & Ordensjuveleer, Kjöbenhavn. The interior also has a shelf indicating space for more jewellery than the tiara alone, maybe a matching present in the form of a bracelet or a pendant. H. ornaments from 4.6 to 5.5 cm. L. 40.2 cm. W. inside 24 cm.
The Princess Thyra Sapphire Tiara contains natural sapphires from Ceylon weighing (from right to left, seen from the front) app. 1.31 ct., app. 1.90 ct., app. 8.90 ct., app. 1.77 ct., and app. 1.73 ct., e.g. a total of app. 15.61 ct., and diamonds weighing a total of app. 10 ct. Colour Top Wesselton-Crystal (G-J), Clarity VS-P1. Pearl diameter app. 2.53–2.62 mm.
Read more in the illustrated article on the following pages about the history of the Princess Thyra Sapphire Tiara, including e.g. the Royal owners, use and heritage.
Mentioned and ill.: Bjarne Steen Jensen, “Juvelerne i det danske kongehus”, Copenhagen 2002, p. 122.
Provenance: Princess Thyra of Denmark (1880–1945) as a present from her parents, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Lovisa of Denmark, the future King Frederik VIII (1843–1912) and Queen Lovisa of Denmark (1851–1926). Hence by Princess Thyra’s testament to her niece, Hereditary Princess Caroline-Mathilde of Denmark (1912–1996), married 1933 to Hereditary Prince Knud of Denmark (1900–1976). On 3 February 1963, she gave the tiara to their daughter, Princess Elisabeth of Denmark (1935–2018). Thence by descendants of King Frederik VIII and Queen Lovisa of Denmark until today.
Read more in the illustrated article in our catalogue for our upcoming live auction 911 about the history of The Princess Thyra Sapphire Tiara, including e.g. the Royal owners, use and heritage.
Payment is possible only by credit card in the salesroom or by bank transfer.
Jewellery and handbags, 1 December 2022