Wartski exhibition, London: a Carl Fabergé brooch designed for Marie of Romania

Tags

Diana Mandache, European royal families, Faberge jewellery, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, istoria regalitatii, Princess Marie of Edinburgh, Queen Marie of Romania, Regina Maria, Romanian Royal Family, Royal jewels

I have been pleasantly surprised the other day when I received an e-mail from Wartsky informing me about their wonderful forthcoming exhibition, which will feature an exquisite brooch once owned by Marie of Romania and specially designed for her by Carl Faberge. I believe that Marie commissioned this brooch when she visited Moscow with the occasion of Tsar Nicholas II’s coronation. I would like to thank Wartsky and Kieran McCarthy who has sent me the e-mail for this very kind communication.

The Last Flowering of Court Art is a loan exhibition of a private collection of Fabergé owned by a Russian couple who live in London. They began collecting just after the fall of the Soviet Union and amongst the many ‘New Russians’ to collect Fabergé, they were the very first . Possessing the highest levels of discernment and guided by an uncompromising determination to acquire only the best of Fabergé’s work, they have succeeded in assembling an important collection of the Imperial Goldsmith’s work. The pieces to be exhibited have brought a shared joy to their lives and the choice of objects is a reflection of their joint tastes. Their passion for Fabergé has produced a collection covering the spectrum of Fabergé’s work and includes some of the firm’s most prized pieces. Among them a presentation brooch from Princess Marie of Romania, made from yellow gold, enamelled translucent bright pink over a sunburst guillochage, in the form of an a scrolling ‘M’,centred by a rose diamond representation of a crown. Moscow, 1896-1908. 3.4 cm across. Provenance: From the collection of a Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria. [extract from http://www.wartski.com/]

Pecten shell shaped brooch with the crowned monogram of Princess Marie of Romania made by C. Faberge (end of the c19th). Photo Source: Wartski www.wartski.com

Princess Marie's cipher, 1896, design probably derived from the shell shaped brooch shown above. Photo by ©Diana Mandache

For another pink enamel brooch  from Queen Marie of Romania see: Fabergé and the Russian Jewellers, Wartski, June 2006, number 228:

Source: Wartski www.wartski.com/ Courtesy of Kieran McCarthy

‘The Last Flowering of Court Art’: A private Russian collection of Fabergé. A loan exhibition at Wartski, 23rd November-4th December 2010

©Diana Mandache’s Weblog www.royalromania.wordpress.com

‘Always Imperial’: my new article in Majesty magazine

Tags

Duchess of Edinburgh, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, European royal families, Familia regala, Grand Duchess of Russia, Imperial Russia, istoria regalitatii, Marie Alexandrovna, Romanov

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the death of Marie Alexandrovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, Duchess of Edinburgh and of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Majesty magazine has just published my article ‘Always Imperial’ in their October 2010 issue.

Other articles on royal history contained within this issue: ‘Frankly speaking’ (Prince Francis of Teck) by Adrian Woodhouse, ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ (Duke and Duchess of Windsor) by Robert Prentice.

see for more articles  www.majestymagazine.com

Three MARIEs wearing the historical Diamond Fringe Tiara

Tags

Diamond Fringe Tiara, European royal families, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, Marie Alexandrovna, Queen Maria of Yugoslavia, Queen Marie of Romania, Regina Maria, Romanian Royal Family, Royal jewels, Royal tiaras, Russian Imperial Family, Serbian Royal family

The historical Diamond Fringe Tiara of  Imperial Russian design  - Kokoshnik – belonged to Marie Grand Duchess of Russia, Duchess of Edinburgh and of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha received from her father, the Tsar Alexander II. Marie Alexandrovna bequeathed it to her eldest daughter, Queen Marie of Romania, who in her turn gave it to her daughter Queen Maria of Yugoslavia. This historical royal tiara was ultimately sold by Maria, the Queen Mother of Yugoslavia in July 1960 through Sotheby’s for an amount of £ 10,800 to Levy Cohen. The photomontage above shows the three Maries (grandmother, daughter and granddaughter) wearing this beautiful piece of jewellery on a background formed by the tiara itself.

Queen Marie of Romania w. the famous kokoshnik tiara. The Paintings are by Philip de Laszlo, 1936

Description: the larger vertical sections are set with cushion-shaped stones and pear-shaped stones at the tips, alternating with smaller collet-set sections, the whole graduating from the center, made in the early 19th century.

All rights reserved ©Diana Mandache’s weblog

see also Philip de Laszlo in 1936 at the Romanian Royal Court

Forthcoming book: ‘Jewels of the Romanovs’ by Stefano Papi

Tags

European royal families, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, Noblesse et Royautés, Romanov jewels, Royal jewels, Royal tiaras, Russian Imperial Family

Stefano Papi’s new book ‘Jewels of the Romanovs. Family & Court’ is published by Thames & Hudson (September 2010):

Every jewel tells a story. Through his work at Sotheby’s and Christie’s and his own extensive research, Stefano Papi has spent years unraveling the mysteries of Russian imperial jewelry. He identifies pieces with little or unknown provenance, and he uncovers the fascinating stories behind the jewels and the people who wore them. He takes us through the golden years, and after the Revolution he follows the survivors of the Romanov line—and their jewelry—in European courts and in Paris, where many exiles sought refuge.

I am happy to announce that the book also contains a few relevant photographs from my collection

For more details click here

Tsar Nicholas II & his family, film footage

Tags

European royal families, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, Romanov, Russian Imperial Family, Tsar Nicholas II

The film footage shows various shots of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. Source wpa library

Christie’s London 1967, sale of Imperial Russian banqueting service

Tags

Imperial Russia, Romanov, Russian Imperial Family, Tsar Nicholas I, Tsar Nicholas II

SALE OF IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BANQUETING SERVICE – CHRISTIES The Imperial Russian banqueting service is auctioned off at Christie’s London. Various shots of the 742 piece Russian dinner service on display at Christie’s. Various shots full auction room.  Pan across the entire service. (fine china, serverware, antiques, porcelain, dishes). Source: wpa film library

A present from Maria Feodorovna Empress of Russia to her sister Thyra Princess of Denmark

Tags

European royal families, Faberge jewellery, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, istoria regalitatii, Maria Feodorovna Empress of Russia, Noblesse et Royautés, Romanov, Royal jewels

A splendid Faberge silver-gilt pearl and enamel heart shaped photograph frame was given to Thyra by her sister Empress Maria Feodorovna (Est. £60,000 –80,000). The gift was made in December 1905. Heart-shaped objects have an important place in works by Faberge: a heart was in the middle of two Easter eggs given by Nicholas II to his mother and heart-shaped cuff links were given by Empress Alexandra to her husband to celebrate the birth of their children. The frame is made even more personal with the addition of a beautiful miniature portrait of Dowager Empress Maria Fedorovna. Workmaster: Michael Perchin, St Petersburg.

Official letter announcing Tsar Nicholas II’s accession to the throne sent to King Carol I of Romania

Tags

documents, Empereur de Russie, Emperor of all Russias, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, King Carol I, Regele Carol I, Roi de Roumanie, Romanian Royal Family, Russian Imperial Family, Tsar Nicholas II, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia

The imperial heralds, clad in brilliant uniforms, accompanied by trumpeters, announced on 2 November 1894 the death of Tsar Alexander III and the accession to the throne of Nicholas II. With the occasion of his accession to the throne, Tsar Nicholas II wrote a series of official letters announcing the event to other chiefs of state. One of them reached King Carol I of Romania, through the special imperial envoy General Count Kutuzov. The letter was received by the Romanian King on 9/21 December 1894.

Monsieur Mon Frére,

Appelé à succeder a mon Père bien aimé, l’Empereur Alexandre III, d’impérissable mémoire, je charge le General Major de ma suite, Comte Polenistchew-Koutuzow de se render auprès de Votre Majesté afin de Lui notifier mon avénement au tron de toutes des Russies, de Pologne et de Finlande en La priant de croire au soin tout particulier que j’apporterai à cultiver et à resserrer les liens de confiance et d’amitié entre nos Estats voisins. Les souvenirs glorioux qui les unissent me permettent de compter de la part de Votre Majesté, sur une réciprocité de sentiments et une conformité de vues que j’accueillerais avec d’autant plus de satisfaction qu’elle répondrait à l’estime et à l’attachement avec lesquels je suis,

Monsieur Mon Frére,   de Votre Majesté

le bon frére

Nicholas

St Petersbourg, Le 28 Novembre 1894

All rights reserved ©Diana Mandache’s Weblog ROYAL HISTORY www.royalromania.wordpress.com

At the Russian Court: Exhibition, Hermitage Amsterdam

Tags

European royal families, Familia regala, Imperial Russia, Russian Imperial Family, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna

At the Russian Court. Palace & the Protocol in the 19th century: The Hermitage in Amsterdam opens at its new location with a spectacular exhibition of over 1800 items from the Hermitage in St Petersburg. The rich and valuable collection shows the palace and its protocol in the 19th century and covers the life of six Tsars: from Paul I, the son of Catherine the Great, to Nicholas II, the last Tsar. Among the court paintings, furniture, costumes, jewellery and dinner services are the Romanov throne and the last tsarina’s grand piano.  Hermitage, Amsterdam until 31 January  2010. [ Source  www.hermitage.nl ]

Diana Mandache’s weblog  wwww.royalromania.wordpress.com

An Interesting Royal Cipher of Elisabeta Feodorovna Grand Duchess of Russia

Tags

cifru regal, Elisabeta Feodorovna, Elizabeth of Hesse, European royal families, Familia regala, Grand Duchess of Russia, Grand Duke of Russia, Imperial Russia, Romanov, Royal ciphers, Royal Monograms, Russian Imperial Family, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia

This is a royal cipher belonging to Elisabeta Feodorovna. Her christian name is displayed under the Russian Imperial crown. Of note is the Art Nouveau like style of her name written in Cyrilic lettering. That style was much in vogue at the time (I found the cipher adorning a letter dated 1906 at the RNA) and shows the Russian Imperial Family much in touch with the cultural environment in general. ©Diana Mandache

More on royal ciphers:

Maria Alexandrovna: an exquisite Imperial Cipher

A Splendid Royal Cipher

The Romanovs, 1909: A letter of Maria Alexandrovna to Marie, her daugher

All rights reserved©Diana Mandache  http://royalromania.wordpress.com

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in Denmark 1901, Film

Tags

European royal families, History, Imperial Russia, Romanov, Royalty, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna

I have put here an old film with Tsar Nicholas II of Russia during a visit in Denmark to King Christian IX, his grandfather, in 1901. They had the tradition of gathering in September to celebrate Queen Louise’s birthday, a tradition that continued even after her death in 1898. Parades and military processions were part of the festivities. Official photographer Peter Elfelt captured these early days of autumn 1901 on film.

(Source Europe film treasures. Danish Film Institute)

Diana Mandache http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009

Maria Alexandrovna: an exquisite Imperial Cipher

Tags

European royal families, Grand Duchess of Edinburgh, Grand Duchess of Russia, Imperial Russia, Maria Alexandrovna, Romanoff, Romanov, Royal ciphers, Royalty, Russia, Victorian era

Maria Alexandrovna, daughter of Tsar Alexander II married Alfred Duke of Edinburgh in 1874. Her title was that of Duchess of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, styled also as Her Imperial Highness (Russian). She used  for correspondence at the end of 19th century a very interesting and beautiful Imperial Russian Cipher (the monogram MA and the Imperial Russian Crown). The design is typical of the Victorian era with both English and Russian influences. The quality of the paper and the vivid colours used for this Imperial cipher are remarkable. It is embossed and the painting is obviously hand made. This particular example from one of Maria Alexandrovna’s letters survived in perfect condition at the Romanian National Archives. ©Diana Mandache

©Diana Mandache http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009

Rare shotguns of King of Romania & Tsar Nicholas II of Russia auctioned in 2007

Tags

Eastern Europe, Familia regala, History, Imperial Russia, King Michael of Romania, Regele Mihai, Romania, Romanian Royal Family, Romanov, Royalty, Russia, Tsar Nicholas II

Firearms that belonged to the King of Romania

 

In mid-March 2007, a very intersting auction, for the royal related news follwers, took place at Julia’s Spring Firearms, USA. A pair of Purdey Extra Finish 20 ga. double barrel shotguns custom made for the King of Romania was sold for the handsome sum of $115,000.

 

 

The Parker Gun made for Tsar Nicholas II

 

 Another sale at the same auction, one of the most anticipated lots, was a Parker shotgun originally made for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The gun, carrying a presale estimate of $225,000-325,000, generated an unusually high pre-auction interest. The interesting thing is that the shotgun has never been in the Tsar’s possession, because the war broke off just as the shotgun was finished in the Parker’s workshops. The gun was sold for $287,500 which I understand is a new world record for any American shotgun ever sold at auction.

 

  ©Diana Mandache  http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009

Permalink

The Romanovs, 1909: A letter of Maria Alexandrovna to Marie, her daugher

Tags

Eastern Europe, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, European royal families, Grand Duchess, Herzogin, History, Imperial Russia, Maria Alexandrovna, Romanoff, Romanov, Royalty, Saxe-Coburg, Tsar Nicholas II

The Royal Ciphre of Maria Alexandrovna

 

On 17 March 1909 Maria Alexandrovna went to Tsarskoe Selo and lunched with the Imperial family. She wrote the first impressions in a letter to her daugher Marie of Romania: 

 Alix looks blooming and was amiable, we talked a great deal about Ella, as she does not approve of all her exaggerated charitable doings. At luncheon a free conversation is impossible, as those big girls are all ears. As they never see any lady, ces Demoiselles are much interested at every newcomer and examined me from head to foot. I thought they were laughing at me, but they whispered to their father, that I was “a very amusing Aunt!” Fancy what dull members of the family they must see, to find me so entertaining and in that smiles too, where one feels so jênée and has to carry on the conversation. [Extract from RNA holdings]

©Diana Mandache and http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009.

Moscow Coronation Ceremony, 26 May 1896

Tags

Balkans, Casa Regala, Eastern Europe, European royal families, Familia regala, History, Imperial Russia, King Ferdinand, Queen Marie of Romania, Regina Maria, Romania, Romanian Royal Family, Romanoff, Romanov, Royalty, Russia, Tsar Nicholas II

Domine Salvum Fac Imperatorem – Domine Salvum Fac Imperatricem

 

I synthesise here from the newspapers of the time (New York Times, Illustrated London News):  The Emperor Nicholas II wore the dark-green and gold uniform of a General of the Guards, with high boots. The Empress Alexandra was dressed in a silver robe, with a long train, borne by four pages. After donning the mantle the Emperor assumed the diamond collar of St Andrew.

 

Nicholas II received the imperial crown from the Metropolitan of St Petersburg and placed it upon his head, then took his sceptre, on top of which the famous Orloff diamond blazed. The orb of the empire was placed in his right hand and the emperor then ascended the Dias, taking his seat upon the throne with the Empress still standing next to him.

 This was the supreme moment of all, and when gazing around the church, and seeing representatives from nearly every district of this mighty empire beholding the Tsar sitting on his throne of state, with the symbols of power given to him by the highest religious authority in the land, one had a realizing sense of the great power wielded by the man who was now Russia’s sovereign, for whom the grandiose coronation function was held. The Empress knelt before him on a crimson velvet cushion and the Emperor placed upon her head her own crown, distinctively surmounted by a large sapphire. The Empress’s Ladies of Honour fixed the crown on her head with a gold comb, and then robed her in her mantle of cloth of gold, ermine lined, similar with the Emperor’s. The coronation next procedeed with a grand fete and reception in the Granite Palace in the Kremlin. Among many royal guests were also present the  crown prince and princess of Romania.

 

The image bellow shows the beautiful gown worn with that occasion by Marie of Romania, a first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II.

 

 ©Diana Mandache and  http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited.