Thursday, 4th March 2004 (4311 views)

A fantastically decorated diadem, once owned by the Russian Royal Family, has gone on display in the former communist state.

Indeed, in accordance with a tradition that dictates the jewellery must stay in Russia, the bejewelled gold antique has been sent back to its homeland, reports Itar Tass.

The exhibition itself takes place at the Gem Gallery of the State Hermitage, after current owner Marchioness Sara Milford-Heaven remembered the legend.

The heiress arranged for the trinket to be whisked back to the country, insuring it for $5 million and entrusting it to her friend and renowned businessman Artyom Tarasov.

The diadem was crafted by St.Petersburg jeweller K.Bolin on the orders of Grand Prince Mikhail Romanov, who presented it as a gift to his then fiancee Sofia Merenberg towards the end of the 19th century.

It is made of gold in a classical style, and is ornamented with silver, diamonds and cabochon rubies. In addition, the priceless artefact possesses a unique sectional construction that enables its parts to be used as brooches and hair-pins.

The masterpiece was created by the jewellery maker that supplied Russian emperors and then Swedish monarchs.

 

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