LOELIA PONSONBY IN THE WESTMINSTER HALO TIARA
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Was there ever such a glittering showcase? Well – at least not for 20 years, since the V&A staged its mega tiara exhibition. Now, Kristian Spofforth, Sotheby’s head of jewellery, has painstakingly sourced a twinkling array of prized, bespoke and rarely, if ever, seen before diadems – of different styles, formations and ancestry – and brought them to the heart of Mayfair. Spofforth has called upon the landed gentry – and asked if they might lend their most precious family heirlooms for this one-off exhibition in celebration of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. Given the theme, the aristocrats said yes: from Earl Spencer to the Fitzwilliam family – if they’d had more time, Spofforth thinks they might have secured even more. But, we think he’s also pretty happy with where he got to – and deservedly so.
The Devonshire gallery of Sotheby’s has been artfully spruced for the occasion – enveloped in darkness with the tiaras lit up across the room. Some hanging from silver threads so as to appear to be practically floating mid-air – others gently rotating. Of the 50 plus tiaras – there are some that sparkle even brighter. But, is it because of the head they once adorned or the meticulous craftsmanship on display? Here are the five that Tatler loves the very most.
