Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Mastery of Design: Queen Mary's Silver Jubilee , 16th-19th Centuries




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

Truly a masterpiece, this necklace and earrings form part of a parure presented to Queen Mary in 1935 for her Silver Jubilee.  The necklace was originally made in the Sixteenth Century, but has visible Seventeenth and Nineteenth Century additions.

The necklace’s chain of snakes and crosses is gold enameled opaque white, pale-blue, light-green and translucent blue and green, set with pearls, rubies, and emeralds.  The earrings are also of enameled gold, set with pearls, and rubies.

The parure originally belonged to one Mary Seton (an attendant of Mary, Queen of Scots, by whom the necklace was given) who left the necklace to Archibald William, 13th Earl of Eglinton (1812-61); by whom bequeathed to his daughters, Egidia, Sybil and Hilda; by whom sold to Christie’s  February 22, 1894 (marked as part of lot 69).  The set was in turn acquired by Algernon Borthwick, 1st Baron Glenesk (1830-1908); by descent to his daughter, Lilias Countess Bathurst (d.1965); by whom presented to Queen Mary, the Silver Jubilee, May 1935.  A matching brooch completes the parure. 

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection

On an editorial note, knowing that this parure was once part of the Royal Collection—as owned by Mary Queen of Scots—it is my suspicion that Queen Mary (known for making sure anything that ever left the Royal Collection was returned to her) probably suggested that the Countess Bathurst make her a gift of the set for her Silver Jubilee.  But, no one can say for sure.


Are you as big an admirer of Queen Mary as I am?  Show your love with a new "Teck Support" item from our online shop


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