We have always held the Poltimore tiara in high regard for one reason only: it stars in the undisputed greatest tiara photo in the history of history.
Makes you want a deeper tub, doesn’t it?
Anywho…back to the centerpiece of the post, the tiara itself. This imposing Neo-Classical pieces towers white and high like the Cliffs of Dover. The Hadrian’s Wall of Tiaras is made up of “stylized” leaves, flowers and vines.
Florence, 2nd Lady Poltimore
the Poltimore in necklace and 3-out-of-11 brooch form.
Princess Margaret’s wedding was the first televised British royal wedding during which the Poltimore in its full glory was first debuted. (Insert angelic choir ‘hallelujahs’ here.) Now what kind of Blog Hostess would We be if we posted a photo of the first televised British wedding? Yeah, that’s right. Vid. E. O.
There are multiple theories as to why Princess Margaret was able to pull off a tiara that seems to trump any other British diamond tiara in size, gravitas and sass. The Countess of Snowdon was quite petite and the tiara simply helped to elevate her frame. Her wedding dress was quite simple thus counter-balancing the elaborate tiara. The stylish, sometimes rebellious princess had a personality to match the grand tiara. Being of dainty frame and fashion-backward, We feel unqualified to weigh in on any of these theories ourselves. Just thought We’d put the ideas out there for you to discuss amongst yourselves.
Princess Margaret wears the Poltimore Tiara as (L to R) a tiara; necklace and brooch and in an up-do as agriettes.
The tiara, like so many others, was auctioned off to pay a hefty inheritance tax. Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto put the tiara and many other jewels once belonging to the Countess of Snowdon up for bidding in 2006. Its value estimated at $360,000, the Poltimore tiara was sold to yet-another anonymous collector for $1.7 million. Anyone else feel like we’re seeing a theme here? Are tiaras appreciating in value? CNN Finance refused to comment. Alright, fine. We never asked. It just sounded good.
Happy Friday, everyone.
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history buff, jewelry whore, chatterbox, mets fan
Why aren’t more ladies wearing their tiaras in the bath?
I don’t have an answer–the notion quite simply astonishes and delights!
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when I get my tiara *sarcastic cough* I’m going to wear it (1) for a quick swing to the corner store for milk (2) all household chores and (3) possibly the gym. Picture me trying to balance the Poltimore while I do the elliptical. (yes, that was your cue to laugh.)
Come to think of it, balancing a crown of precious rocks would require a core-exerting posture. So picture me falling off to the side in a most comical way…
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Lady Poltimore looks very disgusted in her photograph. Do you suppose that she found it terrible that the baron couldn’t afford a much sumptuous tiara or is her corset laced too tight?
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For a “mere” baroness, I think she got plenty of tiara! Maybe she’s salty ‘cos she’s rocking that perm my mom had in 1984.
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Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever get to see these tiaras again. Or do they end up in some vault?
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Ick, they probably end up in some display case under expensive lighting in some rich douchebag’s living room. Or worse, his study…
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What a waste. Tiaras should be worn and seen by all!
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I meant tiaras should be seen by all. Not sure if everyone should wear a tiara….
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The sad truth is there aren’t enough places to wear any sort of diadem nowadays–failing a massive social/formality upheaval. I would not mind in the slightest if we went back to corsets and dresses. Better for my posture [surely] and even the simplest 17th Century frock was far more flattering to a female silhouette!
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Agreed. We need to start a fashion revolution.
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