The diadem is the grandest item in the parure created by court jeweler Caspar Rieländer around 1830 as a gift from King Ludwig I of Bavaria to his wife, née Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The parure, which is set with rubies, spinels, and diamonds, also includes two bracelets, a necklace, and earrings. Its size and weight making it practically unwearable, the diadem was nevertheless one of those worn by Crown Princess Antonia, née Princess Antoinette of Luxembourg, when she posed, wearing court dress, for official portraits after her marriage. The full parure is now in the collection the
Schatzkammer (Treasury) of Munich's Residenz.
 |
| On display in the Residenz's Schatzkammer. (I don't believe what appears to be an epaulet is actually a part of the parure.) |
Fine jewels for a fine monarch of Luxembourg. How much does the diadem weigh?
ReplyDeleteWhy not split up the unbearable weight into long sleeve bracelets, necklace and brooch? The same beauty but less pain.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't normally consider the adjective "exquisite" to describe anything that weighs a ton, but in this case I'll make an exception. Absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDelete