Early 20th century Russian diamond scroll collar necklace by Vassily Finikov, St. Petersburg, reputedly by Bolin and gifted in 1905 to Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, converting to a tiara,
the openwork 'paisley' scroll band set with old and rose cut diamonds, each with a cushion cut collet scroll 'terminal' within, open collet set in silver and gold, Russian assaymarks, maker's mark VF for Vassily Finikov, with adjustable slides for wear also as a choker, converting for wear as a tiara (later frame).
Provenance:
Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1886-1954)
Cecilie Auguste Marie of Mecklenburg (1884-1954) was the last Crown Princess of the German Empire. She was the daughter of Great Duke Freidrich Franz III of Mecklenburg and Great Duchess Anastasia Michailowna Romanowa, as well as the great granddaughter of Czar Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia (1825-1855) and the last King of Poland (1825-1930).
During her life, Duchess Cecilie contributed hugely to society by actively organising charity works and promoting education for women; as well as being recognised as one of the most popular, elegant and stylish women of her time.
In 1905, Cecilie married her great love, Wilhelm von Preussen (last Crown Prince of Germany). The superb diamond necklace was gifted to Cecilie on the occasion of her wedding by her grandfather Grand Duke of Russia Michael Nikolajewitsh Romanov. The year following the wedding all the gifts were publicly exhibited at the Kunstgewerbe Museum in Berlin.
Grand Duke Michael commissioned the necklace at Bolin, which bears maker�s marks for Vladimir Finikov as well as Russian assay marks for Saint Petersburg, 1899-1904. The house of Bolin was established in Saint Petersburg in the late 18th century, quickly becoming the jewellers to the Imperial Court. Their elegant and finely crafted jewels were also retailed in Paris by houses such as Boucheron. In the beginning of the 20th century the firm relocated to Sweden, where they still exist today, and are jewellers to His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden. Length 38cm / 15''
Width 2.9cm / 1 1/8'' Weight: 117.5g
Early 20th century single stone sapphire, pearl and diamond pendant by Cartier, Paris c.1910, workshop mark of Henri Picq, together with a diamond set necklace, the pendant set with a round cut Ceylon sapphire 14.65ct,
Early 20th century Russian diamond scroll collar necklace by Vassily Finikov, St. Petersburg, reputedly by Bolin and gifted in 1905 to Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, converting to a tiara,