Marjorie Merriweather Post's Diamond Tiara

This tiara has a historic and illustrious background. Documents show that it was owned by Her Imperial and Royal Highness, the Archduchess Anna of Austria (nee Anna Monika Pia of Saxony) and was the property of the Saxon royal family from the time it was created until it was sold in January of 1930. A Budapest jeweler, Emery Breitner, purchased it from the royal family. Its whereabouts were unknown for many years until the tiara resurfaced in the 1960s as part of the vast jewelry holdings of Marjorie Merriweather Post and her family. Post was known for her trained eye and impeccable taste in art, clothing, and jewelry.

The piece features a wonderfully naturalistic rose design created in diamonds, yellow gold and platinum or white gold. The flowers are designed to be en tremblant or ‘to tremble’ with the wearer’s movements. The diamond settings are on thin wires that allow the clusters to gently sway causing the gems to better catch the light. This movement not only makes the piece more visually interesting, but also permits the diamonds to demonstrate their brilliance. Portions of the tiara are removable so that the owner can reconfigure the piece and wear in several different ways

This tiara was donated to the National Museum of American History by Eleanor Close Barzin, the daughter of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Currently not on view