Ahead with a tiara
By KEE HUA CHEEWhen pop star Madonna married film director Guy Ritchie in 2000, people swooned over her diamond-encrusted tiara. Now you have a chance to buy it, drools KEE HUA CHEE.
FOR the first time in Malaysia, the Edwardian tiara made world famous by Madonna in 2000 when she wore it on her wedding will be exhibited at A Time to Treasure All Things Beautiful at the Pearl Room, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.
When Madonna first spotted it at Asprey & Garrard in London, the tiara had no specific name as it was originally made in 1910 for a noble English family. The undisputed reigning queen of pop fell in love with it and decided it was a fitting ornament for her crowning glory. Since that day when she appeared glittering with it, the world has dubbed it the Madonna Tiara.
The star attraction consists of 765 old-cut diamonds weighing 78 carats plus two larger diamonds at 2.5 carats. The scrolls form seven floral garlands connected by swinging festoons and set in platinum. During the Edwardian period (the reign of King Edward VII from 1901 to 1910), tiaras were essential for formal balls. After two world wars that decimated swathes of Europe’s aristocracy, many tiaras were melted down and the stones sold or re-assembled. This exquisite survivor is in perfect condition.
“Even in the heyday of royal galas, tiaras were not worn at all parties, so the Madonna Tiara has a little surprise – it can be turned into a necklace,” says John Glajz of Mondial.
“The swag pieces at the top can be dismantled so it becomes a necklace.
“Mondial jewels and Hourglass watches are on sale at below market levels from a thousand ringgit to one million so there is something for everyone for the Chinese New Year.”
The Madonna Tiara is part of a historical collection of some 50 jewels and objects of art that belonged to Hollywood celebrities like Clark Gable, Howard Hughes, Terry Moore (who was married to Hughes), Eva Gabor and Joan Collins. These currently belong to Kazanjian Foundation of Los Angeles which accept gifts from the rich and famous to be auctioned with the proceeds going to designated charities.
Other highlights from the Kazanjian Foundation include five trinkets from Clark Gable who became immortal after starring in Gone With the Wind opposite Vivien Leigh. It was he who uttered the timeless phrase, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn,” that caused the audience to swoon at a time when such words were near taboo.
Note: At press time, organisers say only the Madonna Tiara will be on display at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. The Madonna Tiara, priced at RM1mil, is on sale until this Sunday. Run by Mondial and The Hourglass, the exhibition is open to the public. The Malaysian purchaser of the tiara can choose his or her favourite charity as 30% (RM300,000) will be donated to the charity.
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