Mastery of Design: The Castellani Diadem, 1860

Diadem
Castellani, c. 1860
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The Italian jewelry firm of Castellani made this diadem around 1860 based on an Etruscan original which dated to about 300 B.C. The original is the Campana Collection in the Louvre.

This tiara was copied four more times with each of the copies remaining in private collections. This one was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862. There, the works of Castellani garnered much attention and acclaim. So many flocked to the Castellani exhibit, in fact, that a policeman was stationed outside of the display to control the crowds. Certainly, the diadem was the centerpiece of the group.

The piece is made of gold with open floral-work. It is set with pearls, and beads and features enameled, serrated leaves and beaded blue berries. 

Mastery of Design: The Diamond Diadem, 1820

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Click image for larger size.

"The Diamond Diadem"
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

A diadem is a type of crown, specifically one that fits around the upper forehead like a headband. The term also refers to a jeweled half-crown which is worn over the forehead. These are more commonly called a tiara.

One of the most famous diadems in the world is “The Diamond Diadem” made in 1820 for British King George IV. Since its creation for George IV’s lavish 1821 coronation, this diadem has been worn exclusively by female royals and is one of the most recognizable pieces of the Queen’s collection of jewelry.  Just take a look at a Royal Mail stamp.  You've definitely seen this piece before.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Designed by master jewelers, Rundell, Bridge and Company, the diadem features 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant in the center of the front cross. The diamonds, set in gold and accented by pearls for the emblems of the countries in the British Empire: England, Scotland and Ireland. 

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Click image for larger size.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIClick image for larger size.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: An Italian Micromosaic and Gold Diadem, 1840

Diadem
Italian, 1840
Gold, Glass
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in 1840, this masterpiece of gold and glass micromosaic has been made in a traditional Roman style and depicts a scene of Roman ruins—a popular subject worldwide during that era. There’s some debate as to the origin of the piece as a while. The gold and mosaic work is clearly Italian, however, some feel that the diadem itself was assembled into its present form in France.


Using only the smallest pieces of colored glass, the medallion centerpiece of the tiara contains more than 5000 pieces of glass per square inch. A diadem such as this would have been worn atop a lady’s upswept hair. This particular piece would have been an interesting visual contrast to the many pieces of diamonds and gemstones which dominated the time period and would have caused the wearer to stand out from the crowd like a Roman goddess. 

The Reverse (showing the unfortunately-placed Museum Item Number)

The diadem retains its original presentation case.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: An Italian Micromosaic and Gold Diadem, 1840

Diadem
Italian, 1840
Gold, Glass
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in 1840, this masterpiece of gold and glass micromosaic has been made in a traditional Roman style and depicts a scene of Roman ruins—a popular subject worldwide during that era. There’s some debate as to the origin of the piece as a while. The gold and mosaic work is clearly Italian, however, some feel that the diadem itself was assembled into its present form in France.


Using only the smallest pieces of colored glass, the medallion centerpiece of the tiara contains more than 5000 pieces of glass per square inch. A diadem such as this would have been worn atop a lady’s upswept hair. This particular piece would have been an interesting visual contrast to the many pieces of diamonds and gemstones which dominated the time period and would have caused the wearer to stand out from the crowd like a Roman goddess. 

The Reverse (showing the unfortunately-placed Museum Item Number)

The diadem retains its original presentation case.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Castellani Diadem, 1860

Diadem
Castellani, c. 1860
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The Italian jewelry firm of Castellani made this diadem around 1860 based on an Etruscan original which dated to about 300 B.C. The original is the Campana Collection in the Louvre.

This tiara was copied four more times with each of the copies remaining in private collections. This one was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862. There, the works of Castellani garnered much attention and acclaim. So many flocked to the Castellani exhibit, in fact, that a policeman was stationed outside of the display to control the crowds. Certainly, the diadem was the centerpiece of the group.

The piece is made of gold with open floral-work. It is set with pearls, and beads and features enameled, serrated leaves and beaded blue berries. 

Mastery of Design: The Diamond Diadem, 1820

"The Diamond Diadem"
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

A diadem is a type of crown, specifically one that fits around the upper forehead like a headband. The term also refers to a jeweled half-crown which is worn over the forehead. These are more commonly called a tiara.

One of the most famous diadems in the world is “The Diamond Diadem” made in 1820 for British King George IV. Since its creation for George IV’s lavish 1821 coronation, this diadem has been worn exclusively by female royals and is one of the most recognizable pieces of the Queen’s collection of jewelry.  Just take a look at a Royal Mail stamp.  You've definitely seen this piece before.

Designed by master jewelers, Rundell, Bridge and Company, the diadem features 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant in the center of the front cross. The diamonds, set in gold and accented by pearls for the emblems of the countries in the British Empire: England, Scotland and Ireland. The piece is so well-known, it is even featured on a postage stamp. 

Mastery of Design: The Castellani Diadem, 1860

Diadem
Castellani, c. 1860
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The Italian jewelry firm of Castellani made this diadem around 1860 based on an Etruscan original which dated to about 300 B.C. The original is the Campana Collection in the Louvre.

This tiara was copied four more times with each of the copies remaining in private collections. This one was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862. There, the works of Castellani garnered much attention and acclaim. So many flocked to the Castellani exhibit, in fact, that a policeman was stationed outside of the display to control the crowds. Certainly, the diadem was the centerpiece of the group.

The piece is made of gold with open floral-work. It is set with pearls, and beads and features enameled, serrated leaves and beaded blue berries. 

Mastery of Design: Mary of Modena's Diadem, 1685

Mary of Modena's Diadem
Sir John Viner, 1685
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Royal Goldsmith during the reign of Queen Mary II and King William III, Sir Robert Viner, 1st Baronet (1631-88) created this diadem in 1685 of gold, silver, quartz crystal, pearls, velvet and ermine.

The diadem was purchased by Queen Mary of Modena, Consort of James II, King of Great Britain (1658-1718). It is comprised of a gold circlet which comes to a peak at the front. A border of pearls adorns the piece above foliated scrolls of rose-cut quartz crystal clusters and rosettes which are mounted with gold wire. A purple velvet cap and ermine band are fitted into the circlet.

The quartz crystals that we see today were installed as replacements to the diamonds which were originally rented from a supplier for the coronation of 1685. Queen Mary II wore this, her step-mother's diadem, at the procession leading up to her own coronation on April 11, 1689, and it was worn again by Queen Anne in 1702. Some believe that it was also worn by George II's consort, Queen Caroline, in 1727, but this can’t be confirmed. The piece fell into disuse by the reign of King George III, and the quartz has remained ever since. Previously, for important occasions, diamonds were again hired and worn in place of the quartz.

Gifts of Grandeur: An Italian Micromosaic and Gold Diadem, 1840

Diadem
Italian, 1840
Gold, Glass
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Made in 1840, this masterpiece of gold and glass micromosaic has been made in a traditional Roman style and depicts a scene of Roman ruins—a popular subject worldwide during that era. There’s some debate as to the origin of the piece as a while. The gold and mosaic work is clearly Italian, however, some feel that the diadem itself was assembled into its present form in France.


Using only the smallest pieces of colored glass, the medallion centerpiece of the tiara contains more than 5000 pieces of glass per square inch. A diadem such as this would have been worn atop a lady’s upswept hair. This particular piece would have been an interesting visual contrast to the many pieces of diamonds and gemstones which dominated the time period and would have caused the wearer to stand out from the crowd like a Roman goddess.

The Reverse (showing the unfortunately places Museum Item Number)

The diadem retains its original presentation case.

Term for the Day: Diadem

"The Diamond Diadem" from The Royal Collection.

Yesterday, while discussing the Parure of the Empress Marie-Louise, I mentioned the term, “diadem.” A diadem is a type of crown, specifically one that fits around the upper forehead like a headband. The term also refers to a jeweled half-crown which is worn over the forehead. These are more commonly called a tiara.


One of the most famous diadems in the world is “The Diamond Diadem” made in 1820 for British King George IV. Since its creation for George IV’s lavish 1821 coronation, this diadem has been worn exclusively by female royals and is one of the most recognizable pieces of the Queen’s collection of jewelry. Designed by master jewelers, Rundell, Bridge and Company, the diadem features 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant in the center of the front cross. The diamonds, set in gold and accented by pearls for the emblems of the countries in the British Empire: England, Scotland and Ireland. The piece is so well-known, it is even featured on a postage stamp. Today, this diadem is part of the Royal Collection.