04/11/2020
It's Tiara Tuesday!
Ruby and Spinel diadem
The diadem and jewels Bavarian ruby and spinel set. The jewelry suite is nearly two centuries old. Made by the Bavarian court jeweler Caspar Rieländer, the set was a gift from King Ludwig I of Bavaria to his new wife, Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, in 1830. Therese was able to enjoy her new jewels while an important celebration erupted around lei: The first Oktoberfest was celebrated in Munich as part of Ludwig and Therese's wedding festivities, and has been an annual event ever since.
The focal point of Rieländer's massive new set was, without a doubt, the diadem. This huge diadem, which features numerous floral elements in its design, is made of gold and set with diamonds, rubies and spinels.
The tiara was so heavy and difficult to wear that apparently Therese didn't like it very much, and I don't think there are any portraits of her wearing the tiara.
Many of the flowers feature diamond petals with rubies or spinels in the center. The set also includes a pair of bracelets. The floral pattern runs through each piece of the set, as you can see above.
And here are the necklace and earrings. The whole set now lives in the treasure room of one of Bavaria's largest museums, the Munich Residenz. via
