Brooch
20th century (made)
Large and showy gold-coloured base metal brooch or dress clip, set with imitation rubies, tourmalines and diamonds, possibly originally attached to a chain and worn as a necklace. A large quatrefoil gold metal base is set with a central oval imitation ruby which is surrounded by 14 imitation diamonds. The central' ruby' and 'diamonds' are set proud of the 4 imitation tourmalines which flank it above, below, and right and left, each surrounded by 10 imitation diamonds. 3 tear-drop pendants are suspended below the quatrefoil, each set centrally with an imitation ruby, and surrounded by imitation diamonds. The pendants to the right and left are surrounded respectively by 20 imitation diamonds whilst the central drop is surmounted by 4 imitation diamonds set in cruciform shape, surrounded by 16 imitation diamonds, and mounted below the central point with a further 6 imitation diamonds.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Imitation diamond, ruby and tourmaline dress clip or brooch, possibly originally from a necklace, worn on stage by the opera singer Kyra Vayne (1916-2001). |
| Physical description | Large and showy gold-coloured base metal brooch or dress clip, set with imitation rubies, tourmalines and diamonds, possibly originally attached to a chain and worn as a necklace. A large quatrefoil gold metal base is set with a central oval imitation ruby which is surrounded by 14 imitation diamonds. The central' ruby' and 'diamonds' are set proud of the 4 imitation tourmalines which flank it above, below, and right and left, each surrounded by 10 imitation diamonds. 3 tear-drop pendants are suspended below the quatrefoil, each set centrally with an imitation ruby, and surrounded by imitation diamonds. The pendants to the right and left are surrounded respectively by 20 imitation diamonds whilst the central drop is surmounted by 4 imitation diamonds set in cruciform shape, surrounded by 16 imitation diamonds, and mounted below the central point with a further 6 imitation diamonds. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Credit line | Given by Mr. Richard Samuel |
| Object history | This was a piece of the stage jewellery used by Kyra Vayne in her operatic roles. It was acquired with other stage jewellery belonging to Kyra Vayne, including a parure of 'Tosca' jewellery which she sold to the Royal Opera House for £35 ca.1960 when she retired from the stage. It was never used or broken up by the Opera House, and was 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. |
| Association | |
| Bibliographic reference | 'God's Gift'. 'The Singer', p. 13, April/May 1997.
'A Day in the Life of Kyra Vayne' Sunday Times magazine 1998
'Kyra Vayne' Obituary in 'The Independent' 15 January 2001
'Opera diva gets back her jewels' The Independent 31 October 1999
'Kyra Vayne' Obituary in 'The Times' 15 January 2001
'Kyra Vayne' Obituary in 'The Telegraph' 15 January 2001 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.298-2001 |
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| Record created | April 12, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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