The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-31
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Crown Jewels Of European and Asiatic Monarchs.

crown, and over the brow is a n1agnifi-
cent ruby. In separate case are plac-
ed all the jewels worn by the empress
and grand duchesses on state occa-
sions; and among diamonds the gems
galore is a very large pink diamond
which belonged to Peter the Great. In
state silver and gold were this collec-
ton is unsurpassed, and her monarchs
have been purchasing continuously FOR
three centuries, and never selling their
possessions.
FRENCH CROWN JEWELS SOLD
AT AUCTION.
In France Louis XIV and Louis XIV
took particular interest in this subject.
1t was at the suggestion of the former
that Tavenier, the great traveller, mace
his search for gems in so many coun-
tries of the world, and unearthed the
blue diamond as part of his TIRE
less exploration.
In 1885 the French crown jewels
were sold as public auction by order OF
the government, realizing some I,oOo.-
900 francs. These jewels included al
but two of the Mazarin diamonds anu
many gems worn by the unfortunate
Marie Antoinette About one-third OF
purchased by one American. The great
Regent diamond was not sold; this and
two Mazarin diamonds are now on eN-
hibition in a case in the Galerie d Ap-
ollon in the Louvre. Probably the more
luxurious and resplendent mirror is now
in the Louvre originally possessed by
Queen Marie de Medici. 1t is of rock
crystal, and the frame was of polished
agate set in network of enameled gold.
rrNt-s f,.or o
outer one was composed of sardoynX,
jaspers, rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
When the inventory of the crown dia-
mondS was taken in 1871 by order of
the National Assembly this superb
work of art was valued at 10000
francs, and is now in the Louvre.
THE ENGLISH ROYAL COLLEC-
TON.
The English royal collection has been
a gradual growth. The present repos-
itory of the English regalia is the Tow
er of London. After the execution of
Charles 1 some of the older objects
were broken up and dispersed, and at
the restoration it was necessary to re-
construct many OF them for the kings
coronation. Nearly all the historical
pieces date no further back than tibet
time of Charles II.
The ancient regalia comprises two
crowns, an orb, a scepter with a cross,
a scepter with a dove, a long scepter
of gold, ring with a ruby, the sever
al minor articles.
The most conspicuous and valuable
object in the collection is the crown of
Queen Victoria. made for her corona
ton in 1888. many of the jewels en-
ployed being of great antiquity. In one
of the crosses in the front of the crown
is set the famous ruby which belonged
to the Black Prince. The crown con-
tains in all 27S3 diamonds, 277 pearls,
3 rubies, II sapphires and IL emeralds.
The crown made for the second wife
of James II is also of considerable val
ue. The other articles do not compare
in value and magnificence with the re-
gala in the Kremlin or Green vaults.
A model of the world renowned Kohl
moor, a bracelet, is placed on view in
the tower. but the gem itself is only
occasionally to be seen at Windsor
Castle.
GEMS OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF
AUSTRIA.
In the treasury of the imperial and
royal house of Austria, at Vienna, are
some remarkable specimens Of work in
rock crystal, ewers, fiagons and tank
ards, ornamented and engraved with
elaborate scenes and landscapes and set
with enamel, gold and precious stones.
These pieces are used at the coronation
of the Austrian kings or for their do
mestic service A vase in the same
collection is formed of a single Peru
Wan emerald weighing $3.50 carats,
which is said to have been part of the
treasure of Burgundy. Here, also, is
the imperial crown of Austria, made
during the reign of Rudolph II. 1t is
of pure gold, richly adorned with dia-
monds, pearls and rubies. The circlet
is of gold, encircled with large fiat dia-
monds and pearls, two ranges of deep
ly set pearls decorating the border The
upper border of the circlet is adorned
with four large and four small feur de
lys ornaments bearing large rubies, dia-
monds and pearls. The skeleton of the
cap is composed of broad stripes of en-
amel accompanied by a rarge of pearls
on either side of the hoop which divides
the cap into two halves. Each half is
formed by two triangular plates of
gold, on which the principal scenes of
the coronation are wrought in has re-
lief. The hoop is surmounted by a lit
tile cross adorned by a sapphire of
matchless beauty. This is one of the
most remarkable specimens of German
goldsmith's work extant and in point
of value and general workmanship is
unique of its kind.
The imperial orb is very similar in
style. The scepter probably made for
the coronation of the Emperor Matthias
in 1912. is somewhat similar in work
manship but probably the most strik-
ing of all the jewels here displayed is
the diamond crown of the empress