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October 16, 2014

Duchess of Kent's Aquamarine Tiara

aquamarine enamel tiara georges fouquet pearl floral duchess kent
Creation: This tiara was created by Georges Fouquet in 1908 but was later altered by removing the enamel sections turning the tiara from a kokoshnik style tiara into a button style tiara. The five flower elements can be worn as brooches.

Materials: pearls, diamonds, and Siberian aquamarines  

aquamarine enamel tiara georges fouquet pearl floral duchess kent
original version
Provenance:
  1. Duchess of Kent née Katharine Worsley
  2. Unknown Owner; sold at auction at Sotheby's for $211,255 in November 2014

Other Wearers:
  • Unknown Woman: at the State Opening of Parliament in May 2013
aquamarine enamel tiara georges fouquet pearl floral duchess kent
Duchess of Kent
aquamarine enamel tiara georges fouquet pearl floral duchess kent
unknown woman
aquamarine enamel tiara georges fouquet pearl floral duchess kent
Duchess of Kent
Questions:
  • Who currently owns this tiara?
  • What is this tiara's provenance prior to the Duchess of Kent?
  • Did Duchess of Kent actually own this tiara or was it loaned to her?
  • Who is the woman wearing the tiara in 2013?

Links:
Photos: Sotheby's

4 comments :

  1. Too bad the tiara was altered from its original version; it was gorgeous as a kokoshnik.

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  2. This tiara is going up for auction next month at Sotheby's. http://www.sothebys.com/pdf/2014/GE1405/index.html
    Page 142

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  3. Isn't that sad? At this rate, the Duchess of Kent won't have any tiaras left! Could it be they (the Dukes of Kent) need the money?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wonder if by doing this less inheritance tax maybe and historical one's be given to the crown to also avoid that same thing too.

    ReplyDelete