Queens' Tiara: Pearls from ca 1650!

[LouiseH]

Just came across this article about the Dutch Antique Pearl Tiara:

http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2011/11/tiara-thursday-antique-pearl-tiara.html

I was fascinated by the idea that some of the pearls belonged to a princess who lived from 1602 to 1675. Imagine wearing pearls that old! And they are enormous, too.

The placement of the teardrop shaped pearls with the larger part up looks odd to my eye, like a series of little lightbulbs in a row. But of course that is a much more modern association with that shape. If I were a Dutch princess, I'd be happy to wear a tiara that made me look like I was full of bright ideas

I posted this under "Cultured Pearls," but I admit I don't know if that's right or not. Were pearls being cultured in the 17th century?

-Louise

 

[Caitlin]

Thank you! That is a wonderful post in that sartorial splendor blog with all the photos!

 

[AMc]

Nice find- I think I could waste hours on that site oogling away...

 

[AMc]

Were pearls being cultured in the 17th century?

An Answer for you! No. Modern pearliculture did not begin until the early 1910-1920's, although Chinese experimentation with cultured Freshwater blister pearls began as early as 100BC- those miniature nacre-covered Buddha figures, similar to the image below- as a matter of fact, these figurines are still being cultured today! Experimentation continued throughout the ages, finally culminating in the Akoya cultured pearl- the long and complicated story of which I shall simply link to here: https://www.pearl-guide.com/debunking-japanese-myth.shtml

photo from cherylkingcouture

 

[dmj]

Prs maxima wears this alot this Parure also has some huge pearl earrings in the Dutch crown jewels and I think a necklace with a 4 cm pearl

 

[Caitlin]

I moved this thread to Natural Pearls