Christie's to Sell Royal Tiara in Geneva

RAPAPORT... Christie's will offer a historic tiara belonging to PrincessAlexandra of Hanover and Cumberland at its Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale inMay. The headpiece, which Faberg?(C) made in 1904, was commissionedby Frederick Francis IV, the grand duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, as a weddinggift for his bride. The grand duke chose Faberg?(C) on the encouragement of hismother, Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, an avid collector. Ithas a presale estimate of $230,000 to $340,000. The tiara features nine graduated, pear-shaped aquamarines,and old-, cushion- and rose-cut diamonds, fashioned into forget-me-not flowerstied with ribbon bows, which symbolize true and eternal love. The piercedarrows represent cupid, and are a token of endearment, attraction andaffection, Christie's noted. The tiara wasn't ready in time due to a delay in the return of correspondence between the grandduke and Eug??ne Faberg?(C), who was designing the piece. The princess instead wore the traditional Hanoveriannuptial crown that had been in her family for more than a century. The grand dukegave her the wedding gift, for which he paid RUB 7,500, at a later date. Image: The Faberg?(C) tiara. (Christie's)