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THE
EXHIBITION
Tiaras presents the greatest collection
of tiaras ever assembled, with more than 200 scintillating
gem-set head ornaments on display.
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Experience
the glamour and allure of the most majestic tiaras from
British and European royal families alongside those
worn and coveted by celebrities including Elton John,
Joanna Lumley, Victoria Beckham, Wonder Woman, and Gwyneth
Paltrow.
Featuring
thousands of fine diamonds, complemented by precious
emeralds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, amethysts and topazes,
court diadems made by Garrard, Fabergé,
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Cartier
and Boucheron contrast with those made today by Vivienne
Westwood, David Linley, and Philip Treacy in acrylic,
wood and feathers.
Comprising
loans from private collections, museums, and jewellers
from around the world, the exhibition traces the evolution
of the tiara from the mid-18th century to the present
day and provides a fascinating insight into the history
of the jewels themselves, their owners and their makers.
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Royal
Tiaras
Providing
a rare opportunity to see the breathtaking precious
stones worn by European and British royalty, including
Their Majesties the Queen, Queen Elizabeth the Queen
Mother and Queen Victoria, Tiaras includes many tiaras
of royal provenance that have never been exhibited before.
The
'Oriental Circlet' tiara designed by Prince Albert,
and worn by Queen Victoria and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
the Queen Mother, will be on display alongside tiaras
lent by Her Majesty the Queen, including the diamond
tiara Russe that she wore on her wedding day on 20th
November 1947. The presence of this historic jewel alone
is a touching tribute to the 50 years of Her Majesty's
reign.
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Queen
Elizabeth the Queen Mother (b.1900), wearing the Oriental
Circlet tiara; by Cecil Beaton (1904 - 1980); English;
1948. © V&A. |
The Oriental Circlet. Ruby and diamond tiara by Garrard.
© The Royal Collection 2002. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
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Experience
tiaras that evoke the Imperial Majesty of Napoleon's
court together with four diadems that Prince Albert
personally designed for Queen Victoria.
"I
was 'coiffee' before dinner, with a lovely Diadem of
diamonds and emeralds designed by my beloved Albert"
Queen Victoria's journal, 25 April 1845
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Diamond
and sapphire tiara designed by Prince Albert for Queen
Victoria.
On loan from the Earl and Countess of Harewood.
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Vivienne
Westwood wearing a coral tiara of
her own design. © Vivienne Westwood. |
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Whether
you're a fan of royalty or Hollywood, or a dedicated
follower of fashion, Tiaras will not fail to delight.
Tiaras
of all types vie for the limelight, from those set with
spectacular precious stones, to the punk rock acrylic
creation of Vivienne Westwood, and those worn by celebrities
including Elton John, Joanna Lumley, Victoria Beckham,
Wonder Woman, and Gwyneth Paltrow's in the film "Shakespeare
in Love".
There
are also stunning recent creations from David Linley,
Philip Treacy, Wendy Ramshaw, Elizabeth Gage and Jan
Yager.
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| Flaunted
by a star or supermodel at the latest celebrity
party, or worn by a queen or empress at a state
occasion, tiaras have always epitomised majesty,
romance and glamour. |
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Tiara, beech wood, designed by David Linley and
Tim Gosling. 2001. © David Linley Furniture.
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Ellen Terry tiara. © Joanna Lumley. |
Today,
tiaras continue to be a popular feature of the bridal
trousseau. Historically they were often given by the
groom to the bride.
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Faberge Cyclamen gold mounted diamond tiara. By Kind
permission o His Grace The Duke of Westminster O.B.E.,
D.L. and the Trustees of the Grosvenor Estates.
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An
astonishing range of materials can be used to make tiaras.
In
the exhibition, aluminium, glass, steel, cow's horn
and feathers hold their own against the intense fire
of monumental diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls.
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| The
Invasive Species Tiara in oxidised Sterling silver & eighteen
carat gold by Jan Yager (b. Detroit. 1951); U.S.A.; 2001.
© Victoria and Albert Museum. |
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Advance
bookings available
call 0115 912 9184
or book online
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