Tiaras have always inspired a great fascination and the most beautiful and influential women have been painted, photographed and admired whilst wearing them. Even in the twenty-first century they are still worn and continue to inspire special poise and elegance. This lavishly illustrated book includes new photographs of a variety of Royal tiaras together with those of French and Russian Imperial provenances. Geoffrey Munn has been granted special access to the photographic archives of many famous jewellers, including Cartier, Boucheron and Faberg, for his research. Other makers include Castellani, Fouquet, Garrards, Giuliano, Lalique, and Tiffany. Among the contemporary pieces illustrated are tiaras belonging to Jamie Lee Curtis, Vivienne Westwood, Elton John and Madonna, made by Slim Barratt, Galliano and Versace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

PROFANE TO SACRED

 The Classical Revival, The Influence of Napoleon and Josephine

CHAPTER Two

DRESSING THE HAIR

 Excess and change in hair fashion, Hair ornament and jewellery

CHAPTER THREE

COURT AND SOCIAL

 Queen Victoria, Edward and Alexandra, King GeorgeV and Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother,

 The Queen, Princess Margaret, The Coronation of 1953

CHAPTER FOUR

THE TIARA AND THE COSTUME BALL

 Magnificence and extravagance of Costume Balls, Present day equivalents, Lavish use ofjewellery

CHAPTER FIVE

ROYAL AND IMPERIAL FRANCE

Jewels commissioned by Kings and Emperors of France, Uncertain politics of the time

CHAPTER SIX

THE RETURN TO SOURCES

 Revivalism in France, Castellani and the School of Italian

 Archaeological Jewellery, Giuliano, The Egyptian Revival, Orientalism

CHAPTER SEVEN

RUSSIA AND THE RUSSIAN STYLE

 Intermarriage in the Royal Houses of Europe, The Court of the Last Tsar

 The Russian Jewellers and their Influence, Faberg6, Cartier, Boucheron, Revolution and Revaluation

CHAPTER EIGHT

IN AND OUT OF AMERICA

 Tiffany and Company

CHAPTER NINE

THE TIARA AS A WORK OF ART

 Art Nouveau, Ren4 Lalique, Georges Fouquet, MaisonVever, Ren6 Louis Foy, Lucien Gaillard, Fr6d6ric Boucheron

CHAPTER TEN

ART DECO AND BEYOND

 The Tiara Today

APPENDIX

CROWN JEWELS AND ROYAL COLLECTIONS

 Austria, Bavaria, Denmark, England, France, Italy, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Some European Royal Jewels

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX