The Ornamented Being

“Empress Elizabeths Diamond stars, that she plaited in her long wonderful hair, above one of the famous portraits by Winterhalter in 1864, were also made by the court jeweller Koechert, they were not part of the Austrian crown jewels. Ironically, it is these relativiely modest ornaments that have contributed most to be mermory of her beauty.

Winterhalter was painting very in detail, so the size of the stars must be 3,5 cm in real size, in gold and silver and diamonds. 

It was said : A diamond tiara set with stars was the subject of a bizarre incident that occurred just before Eliszabeth was married to the young Emperor Francis Joseph in 1854. The Dowager Empress Caroline Augusta, who was aunt to both of the couple, came to see the weddig presents which were kept in the imperial treasury. Leaning forward to emamine the tiara, the Empereors`present, in all its exquistie detail, her lace matilla caught in one of the diamond stars and to the horror and consternation of all, the jewel went crashing to the floor. Although the tiara was quickly repaired and the bride knew nothing of the accident, it was seen as a very bad omen for the marriage - on omen which was to prove curiously prophetic. The empress viewed the grave as the only possible release from her torments** (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wie).”

aka tomorrows theme. 

** That is heartbreakingly tragic.