Chaumet's Masterpiece: The Lacis Tiara for Russian Imperial Wedding

As the world eagerly awaits the Russian Imperial Wedding in October, a stunning piece of jewelry has captured the attention of many: the Chaumet Lacis Tiara. This exquisite creation, designed by Benoît Verhulle, the Chaumet chef d'atelier, is a masterpiece that not only reflects the beauty of Russian heritage but also showcases the expertise of the renowned French jeweler, Chaumet. The tiara's unique design, reminiscent of traditional Russian headdresses, is a testament to the rich cultural exchange between the two nations.

With over 800 hours of meticulous craftsmanship by Chaumet's skilled jewellers, polishers, and gem-setters, the Lacis Tiara is a true work of art. Comprising white gold and over 438 brilliant diamonds of varying sizes, this modern reinterpretation of diamond mesh is a striking addition to the world of jewelry. As the tiara is set to adorn the head of the future Princess Victoria Romanovna, it is a fitting symbol of the enduring bond between the Romanovs and Chaumet, a relationship that spans generations and has produced some of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in history[1].

what is the chaumet lacis tiara and why is it significant for the russian imperial wedding

The Chaumet Lacis Tiara is a stunning piece of jewelry designed by Benoît Verhulle, the Chaumet chef d'atelier, specifically for the Russian Imperial Wedding in October. This exquisite creation is significant for several reasons. Firstly, its design is reminiscent of traditional Russian headdresses, such as the kokoshnik, which adds a touch of cultural authenticity to the wedding. Secondly, the tiara's intricate details and craftsmanship, which took over 800 hours to complete, showcase the expertise of Chaumet's skilled jewellers, polishers, and gem-setters. Lastly, the tiara's modern reinterpretation of diamond mesh, a historic Chaumet signature, is striking in its form and will undoubtedly be a worthy addition to the historic Russian imperial wedding.

what other jewels has chaumet created for royal weddings

Chaumet has created numerous jewels for royal weddings throughout its history. Some notable examples include: Chaumet Josephine Aigrette Imperial: A diamond and platinum tiara designed for the royal wedding. Chaumet Bourbon-Parma Tiara: One of the eleven tiaras presented to Princess Victoria Romanovna for her to choose from, which she selected for her wedding. Chaumet Sunburst Tiara: Commissioned by Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia, Princess Yusupov, for her wedding. Chaumet Lacis Tiara: Designed by Benoît Verhulle, the Chaumet chef d'atelier, specifically for the Russian Imperial Wedding in October. Chaumet Tiara: Commissioned by Princess Hedwige of Bourbon-Parma for her wedding, featuring a series of elegant scrolls surrounding trefoil motifs in an Indian style. Chaumet Floral Tiara: Owned by Lady Edwina Mountbatten, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, and worn by her on royal occasions. Chaumet Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara: Designed by Boucheron in 1919 and originally belonged to Dame Margaret Greville, a famous society hostess, before being passed down to the Queen Mother and then lent to Princess Eugenie for her wedding. Chaumet Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara: Commissioned by King George VI for his wife, Queen Elizabeth, in 1936. Chaumet Lovers' Knot Tiara: A replica of a much older tiara, originally made for Queen Mary by Garrard, and worn by Princess Diana and later by the Duchess of Cambridge. Chaumet Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara: Borrowed from the Queen's private collection by Meghan Markle for her wedding. Chaumet Floral Tiara: Commissioned by Princess Iman, the eldest daughter of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, for her wedding to Jameel Thermiotis. Chaumet Tiara: Worn by Princess Iman on her wedding day, believed to have belonged to her paternal grandmother, Princess Muna al-Hussein.

what is the price of the chaumet josephine aigrette imperial diamond and platinum tiara

The price of the Chaumet Josephine Aigrette Imperial diamond and platinum tiara is not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources.

THE CHAUMET LACIS TIARA FOR PRINCESS VICTORIA ROMANOVNA

 

The Chaumet Lacis Tiara. Photograph (c) Chaumet.

In news that will delight royal jewellery watchers, the future Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff will be wearing a magnificent tiara created by Maison Chaumet when she marries Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia. Grand Duke George is the son of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, head of the Russian Imperial House, and Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia. Victoria Romanovna Bettarini is the daughter of Ambassador and Sigra. Roberto Bettarini. Maison Chaumet has crafted exceptional tiaras, jewels, and timepieces at the very heart of the place Vendôme since 1780. The High Jewellery savoir-faire of the Maison has been passed down through generations of jewellers for almost 240 years. The bride-to-be of the heir to the Imperial House of Russia recently joined Jérôme Carron and David Nivière of Point de Vue when she visited Chaumet's Parisian headquarters to select her nuptial diadem. Victoria was presented with eleven tiaras, one of which was the Chaumet Bourbon-Parma Tiara, from which to made her choice. After consideration, Victoria Romanovna decided upon a piece that has never been worn before: the Lacis Tiara. 

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and the future Princess Victoria Romanovna. Photograph (c) Russian Imperial Chancellery.

Maison Chaumet provides this description of the tiara:

Lacis tiara in white gold, set with one oval-cut D VVS1 diamond of 5.02 carats, one pear-shaped D VVS2 diamond of 2.21 carats and brilliant-cut diamonds.

A subtle interplay of light and transparency is orchestrated by the crossing of fils couteau mountings, an iconic virtuosity of the Maison which seems to render the metal structure invisible in order to let the stones sparkle.

Recalling the stone latticework and mashrabiyas of contemporary architecture, with its white gold interlacing Lacis delineates symmetrical and delicate jewellery while also suggesting maze of narrow streets. This modern reinterpretation of diamond mesh, an historic Chaumet signature, is especially striking in the form of a light tiara, a secret watch, and rings and bracelets with airy volumes.

The Lacis tiara took over 800 hours of work by Chaumet’s jewellers, polishers and gem-setters to create. The tiara's creation was completed in July 2020. The tiara is made of white gold and over 438 brilliant diamonds of varying sizes.

Source: Chaumet Lacis tiara

The Lacis Tiara.

Photograph (c) Chaumet.

A side view of the Lacis Tiara. Photograph (c) Chaumet.

In Point de Vue, Rebecca Victoria Romanovna Bettarini notes that she was particularly drawn to this piece as its shape recalls a kokoshnik, the traditional Russian headdress. The Lacis tiara was created by Benoît Verhulle, the Chaumet chef d'atelier. It will be a worthy addition to this historic Russian imperial wedding.

MAISON CHAUMET AND THE ROMANOVS

 

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna Senior and the Chaumet Waterfall Tiara.

 

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir (the brother of Tsar Alexander III and the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II), was certainly the Russian imperial client most in contact with Joseph Chaumet. The grand duchess's first major acquisition, in 1899, was a “waterfall” tiara typical of the jeweller’s designs: three clusters ended in dangling briolette-cut diamonds that gave the illusion of drops of water about to fall. Indeed, the Waterfall Tiara was intended as a gift from Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich to his wife on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary. It is worth noting that Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna is the great-great-grandmother of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich.

Princess Irina Alexandrovna Yusupov wearing her Chaumet Sunburst Tiara.

Another notable Romanov client of Chaumet was Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia, Princess Yusupov, who arranged for all of the jewels she received for her wedding to be designed and created by the jewellery firm.

 

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For an English-language translation of the Point de Vue article, please see The Russian Legitimist. 

For an English-language interview with Monsieur Benoît Verhulle of Maison Chaumet, please see “The Chaumet method is to say that we will succeed."

As we conclude our exploration of the Chaumet Lacis Tiara for the Russian Imperial Wedding, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of Chaumet's masterpieces. This exquisite piece, designed by Benoît Verhulle, the Chaumet chef d'atelier, is a testament to the jeweler's commitment to crafting exceptional pieces that transcend time and cultural boundaries. The Lacis tiara's intricate design, reminiscent of traditional Russian headdresses, is a beautiful fusion of Eastern and Western styles, reflecting the rich cultural exchange between Russia and France. With over 800 hours of meticulous craftsmanship by Chaumet's skilled jewellers, polishers, and gem-setters, this modern reinterpretation of diamond mesh is a striking addition to the world of jewelry.

As we bid farewell to this captivating article, we are left with a deeper appreciation for the art of jewelry-making and the significance of the Chaumet Lacis Tiara in the context of the Russian Imperial Wedding. The tiara's unique design and the story behind its creation serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the role that jewelry plays in this process. We hope that our readers have enjoyed this journey into the world of high jewelry and that they will continue to follow our blog for more fascinating stories about the intersection of fashion, history, and culture. Until next time, we invite you to explore the world of Chaumet and its remarkable creations, including the Lacis Tiara, a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of Russian Imperial elegance.

what is the significance of the chaumet lacis tiara in the history of royal weddings

The Chaumet Lacis Tiara holds significant importance in the history of royal weddings due to its unique design and the cultural context in which it was created. The tiara, designed by Benoît Verhulle, the Chaumet chef d'atelier, is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Russian kokoshnik, a style of headdress worn by Russian women. This fusion of Eastern and Western styles reflects the rich cultural exchange between Russia and France, which has been a hallmark of the Romanov dynasty's history. The tiara's significance extends beyond its aesthetic appeal, as it represents a bridge between the past and the present. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Chaumet's masterpieces, which have been a part of royal weddings for generations. The tiara's intricate design, reminiscent of traditional Russian headdresses, is a beautiful fusion of Eastern and Western styles, reflecting the rich cultural exchange between Russia and France. Furthermore, the tiara's creation is a significant event in the history of royal weddings, as it marks a new chapter in the long-standing tradition of Chaumet's involvement in these events. The tiara's design and craftsmanship are a reflection of the jeweler's commitment to creating exceptional pieces that transcend time and cultural boundaries. In summary, the Chaumet Lacis Tiara is significant in the history of royal weddings due to its unique design, cultural context, and the enduring legacy of Chaumet's masterpieces. It represents a bridge between the past and the present, reflecting the rich cultural exchange between Russia and France, and is a testament to the jeweler's commitment to creating exceptional pieces that transcend time and cultural boundaries.