Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Elizabeth II’s Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara, 1957

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II happens to have quite a few tiaras at her disposal. She also happens to wear all of them, though not at once. A good many of them were gifts—particularly from her grandmother, Mary of Teck. This particular one wasn’t a gift, per se, but it was crafted from several gifts given to the Queen for her 1953 coronation.

Aquamarine and Diamond Tiara
1957-1971
Adapted by R. & S. Garrard & Co.
The Royal Collection

When originally constructed in 1957, this tiara featured three upright stones which matched the central portion of the tiara. All three were detachable and could be worn as brooches. The stones rose gracefully from a simple platinum and diamond band.

As a Coronation gift from the people of Brazil, Queen Elizabeth II was given a luxurious suite of aquamarine pieces. In 1971, the Queen had several of these aquamarine pieces adapted into additions to this tiara. The two flanking stones were removed in favor of these aquamarine and diamond scrolls and the central stone was replaced with the centerpiece from a particularly beautiful diamond and aquamarine necklace from the Brazilian suite.

The resulting tiara incorporates the original head-band with these adapted pieces, creating an unusual work of dazzling blue and sparkling diamonds. Her majesty frequently wears this tiara with the remaining pieces from the Brazilian suite and other items from her collection of aquamarines.

Painting of the Day: “The Alarm; La Gouvernante Fidèle,” 1723



The Alarm
Jean-Francois de Troy
1723
The Victoria & Albert Museum





One of the most popular painters of Parisian court life, Jean-Francois de Troy was just as celebrated for his skill as he was for his slightly tawdry subject matter. This is an excellent example of some of Troy’s romantically-charged handiwork.


Here, we see a scene of two lovers sharing a clandestine meeting in a garden. Their rendezvous is interrupted by a wild-eyed maid whose come to communicate something to her mistress. Perhaps her husband has returned, perhaps her father, perhaps, even, his wife.

With a typically Eighteenth Century color palette of russets, blues, pinks and greens, the painting is alive with color and motion and feels just as vibrant as they day it was completed in 1723.

Person of the Week: Carolyn Hennesy

Carolyn Hennesy

Multi-award-winning actor, writer, and budding trapeze artist, Carolyn Hennesy has been delighting audiences since 1992. Best known for her starring role on as Diane Miller on ABC Daytime’s (sadly—soon-to-be only remaining daytime drama) General Hospital and for her recurring role alongside Courtney Cox on Cougar Town, Hennesy shows that she is equally comfortable with comedy as she is with drama.


With a host of acting credits to her name, ranging from Dawson’s Creek to Reba, you wouldn’t think that the talented Miss Hennesy would have much time for anything else. However, she’s managed to foster her natural writing abilities into a series of popular children’s books based on the character of “Pandora.” Similarly, Miss Hennesy has made a mark on the adult fiction marketplace with The Secret Life of Damien Spinelli which features popular characters from General Hospital.

A former member of The Groundlings and The ACME Comedy Theater, Miss Hennesy’s prolific career has spanned stage, television and the silver screen. The theater is in her blood. Her father is art director Dale Hennesy and she’s the niece of acclaimed Hollywood legend, Barbara Rush. Representing a new generation of exceptional talent, Miss Hennesy’s career shows that true talent cannot be silenced.

For her many contributions to the world of the arts, Carolyn Hennesy is our “Person of the Week.” To learn more about Miss Hennesy, visit her official Web site.

Treat of the Week: Perfect Profiteroles

A profiterole, known in the U.S. as a cream puff, or, in France as a “choux à la crème,” is a delicious pastry shell filled with rich French pastry cream. The shell of the cream puff is formed from choux paste which is piped onto a baking sheet and then puffed during the baking process. Choux paste (Pâte à choux) is the term given to a type of pastry dough which contains butter, water, flour and eggs and puffs due to its high moisture content as opposed to a rising agent such as yeast. This process has been employed by bakers since the mid Sixteenth Century.


The hollow pastry balls are filled with pastry cream (sometimes whipped cream, ice cream or even a savory Pâte can be used). The profiterole can be topped with a glaze of chocolate or caramel, powdered sugar, fruit or other frostings. When a group of profiteroles is assembled into a pièce montée, it is called a croquembouche. Croquembouches are often served at weddings and on Christmas in France.

It’s been a long time since my mother has prepared some of her magnificent cream puffs, so the appearance of these profiteroles was an especially nice surprise this weekend. With their delicate French pastry cream and tender choux shell (there’s a tongue twister), they’re perfect already, but even more so when topped with a lovely chocolate ganache.

If you’d like to try your hand at making profiteroles, you can find a variety of online recipes. Select the one that most appeals to you, and then try some different fillings. You can’t go wrong.

 

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 245

“What are you doin’ back, Chum?” Mr. Punch asked as he walked toward Naasir.


“I still have an obligation, Sir,” Naasir smiled.

“Thought you passed over,” Mr. Punch continued.

“No one ever really passes over completely.” Naasir shook his head. “Not when he’s still tied to this realm.”

“So, are you some kind of spirit?” Punch asked.

“Mr. Punch, Naasir is only here—within us. No one else can see him,” Julian explained. “He’s part of us, isn’t he?”

“I ‘spose.” Punch nodded slowly. “I reckon that’s why he’s in here with us.”

“That’s correct,” Julian nodded.

“Is he always here?” Punch wondered. He looked toward Naasir. “Are you always here in me master’s body with us?”

“I am just one of many who inhabit this space.” Naasir grinned proudly.

“Coo!” Punch grunted, sitting down in lavender silk chair across from Julian in the little, ornate, phantom room. “Gotta say, it all confuses me.”

“You should not be bothered, Sir,” Naasir shook his head, walking closer. “Every man has thoughts. You are quite fortunate in many ways. You are able to see your thoughts more clearly than most. The arrangement that you share with His Grace allows you greater and freer access to your thoughts than most men. It’s a blessing.”

“I imagine so,” Punch nodded.

“Naasir wishes to speak with us,” Julian interrupted.

“’Bout what?” Punch asked.

“I want to tell you a story that my mother told me when I was a boy.” Naasir said.

“Ain’t got time for stories,” Mr. Punch chuckled.

“This one will assist you greatly,” Naasir replied softly.

“I’m listenin’, Chum.” Mr. Punch sighed. “Go on, tell me…”

At that very moment, Charles made his way through the crowded streets of the French Quarter. The rain had subsided a bit, but the streets had begun to fill with a thick mist which reminded Charles of times spent in Venice with his family. In his right hand, he tightly clutched the note which Cecil had given him for Adrienne and Robert, hoping that the combination of the mist and his sweat would not smear the ink.

He squinted into the fog, looking for some kind of indication of his location. Then, he spotted a sign—“Dresses by Routhe.” Glancing up at the building, he spotted a lamp burning in an upper window.

“Here we are,” He muttered to himself. As he stepped forward, but found himself being pushed backward.

Blinking quickly, Charles became aware of a pair of strong hands on his chest.

“Where are you going, Brother?” A familiar voice hissed.

As the fog cleared, Charles saw his brother, Giovanni staring back at him—a large bruise blackening on his forehead.

“Let me go, Giovanni.” Charles demanded.

“My poor brother, the footman.” Giovanni chuckled. “Since you like to take orders, let me give you some.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-244? If so, you can read them here.

Goal for the Day: Embrace Quiet

We’re surrounded by noise. Constant media stimulation has made us accustomed to a never-ending barrage of data. Not only do our ears absorb noise, but our eyes do, too. We are always accosted by some kind of stimulus. However, sometimes, the best thing for us is a little peace and quiet.


Today, make some time to distance yourself from the onslaught of information that you usually face. Turn off the television, the iPad and the phone and embrace some quiet. Reacquaint yourself with your home, pets and family. You’ll soon remember that the best stimulation is what you already have close by.

Object of the Day: A Cup and Saucer from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

When we think of Queen Elizabeth II, we tend to think of her as the perfectly-coiffed sovereign with her rigid, white hair and ubiquitous blue handbag. However, sixty years ago, she was a fresh-faced, sporty princess who was known for her beauty and girlish charm.


This commemorative cup and saucer by Royal Art Pottery in Longton, England was produced for the 1953 Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It’s quite a lovely little set of a delicate bone color with scalloped edges. What’s unusual about this set is the image of Elizabeth II. Instead of the usual formal portrait which is often centered on such items, these bear a less formal likeness of the Queen in an almost candid shot. She looks quite young in her tam o’ shanter and Scottish garb. Images such as this one show Elizabeth as the keen sportswoman that she is and also serve to cast her in her role as Sovereign of Scotland.

I love this cup and saucer because of its contrast with the images of the Queen in her formal court robes. It reminds us that, at heart, she’s a very down-to earth (for a Queen) person.