Duchess of Leuchtenberg's Diamond Tiara

Creation: This tiara was made by August Holmström for Fabergé circa 1890 using briolette cut diamonds that were a gift to Empress Josephine from Tsar Alexander I of Russia when he visited her at La Malmaison following her divorce. The tiara was sold by the Leuchtenberg family following the Russian Revolution.

Materials: diamonds set in silver and gold

Alexandra Jaffray

Alexandra Jaffray

Provenance:

1. Queen Elisabeth of Belgium née Duchess of Bavaria; bought from Seiler of Vevey in Switzerland after WWI
2. Prince Charles of Belgium, Count of Flanders; inherited from his mother in 1965
3. Queen Marie José of Italy née Princess of Belgium; inherited from her brother in 1983
4. Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy; inherited from her mother in 2001
5. Arthur and Dorothy McFerrin Foundation; bought at auction at Christie's in 2007 for $2,071,389 and is displayed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Other Wearers:

• Alexandra Jaffray

Questions:

• Was this tiara commissioned by George Macimilianovich, 6th Duke of Leuchtenberg for his second wife Princess Anastasia of Montenegro?

Links:

• Christie's - A Magnificent Antique Diamond Tiara by Fabergé
• Royal Magazin - Queen Marie Jose's Fabergé Tiara
• The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor - Empress Josepine Tiara
• The Court Jeweller - The Leuchtenberg Fabergé Tiara
• Tiaras & Crowns - The Empress Joséphine Tiara

Photos: Christie's