Tiaras: Past and Present

by Geoffrey C. Munn

Any woman who has ever wanted to be queen for a day understands the appeal of that most magnificently impractical of accessories, the tiara. Once an aristocratic status symbol, more recently worn by brides as a symbol of love, the tiara today is enjoying a tongue-in-cheek style revival. In this gem of a book, Geoffrey Munn, jeweler by appointment to the British monarchy, presents both classic and contemporary interpretations of diadems and headdresses spanning two centuries. The featured designers include Fabergé, Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef, and Versace. From priceless pieces commissioned by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria to a punk-rock acrylic creation by Vivienne Westwood, the photos and accompanying histories are sure to thrill royal watchers and fashionistas alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Reference, Jewellery, Fashion, Art

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Geoffrey Charles Munn, OBE, MVO, FSA, FLS (born 11 April 1953, in Hastings, East Sussex) is a British jewellery specialist, television presenter and writer. He is best known as one of the experts on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

Reviews

[Brooke Andria Taylor]

Let’s be real we’re here for the pictures

[Jovy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!!! I adore this...nice pictures of tiaras, crown and sometimes headbands... Honestly every girl is obsessed with tiaras since we were able to utter the word 'crown'... From Cinderella's princess crown to Harry Potter's Ravenclaw diadem to Great Gatsby Carrie Mulligan's headband...no wonder why author write books about this thing that sparkles in your head!!!

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very beautiful book, with interesting text and stunning photos of tiaras.

My only slight quibble is that I would have preferred there to be more text about the history of tiaras, but that is only a minor thing - the pictures more than make up for it!

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved a good tiara :)

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. It was recommended on one of the blogs I read and it implied it would be something like you get at the blog, The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor (http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.ca/). It is not. I had hoped it would go through some of the more interesting provenances of tiaras. I expected tales of smuggling jewels out of revolutions, unexpected finds at auctions, or even sweet stories about mothers passing jewels to their daughters on their wedding day. Instead, you get a dry history of tiara design trends throughout history. The pictures help, but again it wasn't the book I was expecting.

[Quiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glossy, picture-rich presentation of the tiara in its various interpretations.

It can be both a reference book and a source of inspiration—artistic, aesthetic, philosophic. Would you wear a tiara? Does it bestow power or only represent power? Flip through the book and feast your eyes while you think about the important questions.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is fine--covers a good deal but not terribly in depth. Pretty pictures. And turns out to be a source of the rumor that one sees online that only married women can wear tiaras, despite lots of photographic evidence to the contrary from current royal families across Europe.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but I would have loved more photos

[Georgia Earley]

Obsessed.

[Sharon Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and lived the pictures

[Cary B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. Lavishly illustrated and full of mouthwateringly wonderful creations, I've never seen so many diamonds and amazing jewels. Until I read this I didn't realise the wide variety possible in creating a tiara. Also many historical ones could be converted into necklaces, bracelets and clips.

The photographs are accompanied by an intelligent and well-written history of the tiara along with its cultural significance through the ages, especially in relation to weddings. It was a real pleasure to find this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously interesting.

[Melissa Mcentyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice short history of tiara. I'd like to have seen the tiara being worn.

[Erica M · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want to know about tiaras, this is your read! I learned a lot about their history as well as their popularity through the years. Great photographs.