White metal and paste 'diamond' bracelet, part of a parure worn by Kyra Vayne (1916-2001) in the title role of the opera Tosca

White metal filligree symmetrical bracelet set with paste 'diamonds'. The bracelet comprises a substantial central filigree white metal oval, set with a large square-cut paste 'diamond' in the centre, with 15 smaller circular paste 'diamonds' sourrounding it set around the edge of the oval. This is flanked each side by elliptical ovals of silver filligree work, each set with 6 paste 'diamonds', 4 of them each side in rows, attached to silver filligree 'flowers' at each each side, one with the metal catch and the other with the clasp.

Given by Mr. Richard Samuel

This bracelet is part of a parure of jewellery worn by Kyra Vayne as Floria Tosca in the title role of the opera Tosca which she first sang in September 1952 to the Scarpia of Tito Gobbi, with the Italian Opera Company at the Stoll Theatre, London, and on tour.

The parure, comprising a tiara, necklace, bracelet and earrings, together with a Tosca ring given to Kyra Vayne by Mary Garden, was sold to the Royal Opera House for £35 ca.1960 when Kyra Vayne retired from the stage but returned to her in the late1990s when she was keen to have it back:

'I thought it might go in the museum but years later I began to think about what I had given away. I am delighted the set has been found because it is very beautiful and of historical importance.' [Kyra Vayne, reported by Jane Hughes in the article 'Opera diva gets back her jewels', The Independent, 31/10/1999].

After her death the jewellery passed to her Executor Mr. Richard Samuel who presented it to the museum.

S.295-2001