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| Mark Renders/Getty Images |
Our celebrations of the jewelry of our Magpie of the Month, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, continues with a look at one of her most intriguing pieces: the pearl negligee pendant that belonged to Grand Duchess Maria Ana.
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| Mark Renders/Getty Images |
A “negligee” in jewelry terms is an ornament with two pendant sections, one of which is slightly longer, producing an asymmetrical effect. (The word “negligee” in French can mean something like “haphazard” or “unkempt.”) The ornaments were most popular during the Edwardian era, right at the beginning of the twentieth century. Negligees are often worn as pendants on necklaces, but they can also be worn separately as brooches. This particular negligee features a delicate bow ornament, from which two natural pearl drops are suspended on long, diamond-studded pendants.
Our friends over at Luxarazzi explain that the first documented owner of the negligee was Grand Duchess Maria Ana, wife of Grand Duke Guillaume IV of Luxembourg. One of Maria Ana’s documented appearances in the pendant came in 1921 at the wedding of her fourth daughter, Princess Antonia, to Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria. At some point, the pendant was passed along to her second daughter, Grand Duchess Charlotte, who wears it in the portrait above.
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| Mark Renders/Getty Images |
The jewel is still with the grand ducal family today. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa has worn the pendant as a brooch occasionally, including this appearance during the 2010 National Day celebrations.
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