Württemberg Ruby Tiara

Today marks the 55th Anniversary of the Death of Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Duchess of Württemberg, who passed away on this day in 1968. While many of the jewels of the Archduchess were auctioned at Sotheby’s earlier this month, the Württemberg Ruby Tiara remains a treasured heirloom!

Württemberg Ruby Tiara | Imperial and Royal Collection on Auction at Sotheby’s

A string Parure consisting of a Tiara, a pair of Earrings, and a large Corsage Brooch/Pendant, this Paurure was made by the Imperial and Royal Court Jeweller Köchert in Vienna around 1900, when Archduchess Maria Immakulata of Austria-Tuscany married Duke Robert of Württemberg. It is unknown who gave the Parure to Archduchess Maria Immakulata, but members of the Habsburg Family, including Emperor Franz Joseph I, gave several Ruby and Diamond Jewels from Köchert to her sister-in-law, Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria, in 1893. She also received a Köchert Pearl and Diamond Tiara as a wedding gift from her mother, Princess Maria Immaculata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Archduchess of Austria-Tuscany.

Archduchess Maria Immaculata notably wore her Ruby Tiara for a series of portraits taken soon after her marriage to Duke Robert of Württemberg. The couple had no children, and many of her jewels were given to family members, including Princess Nadezhda of Bulgaria and Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg.

In 1960, the Archduchess presented the Parure as a wedding gift to Princess Diane of Orléans when she married her great-nephew, Duke Carl of Württemberg.

Princess Diane wore the Parure with the Tiara inverted for her spectacular Wedding Ball at Schloss Altshausen.

A few years later, Princess Diane wore the Ruby Tiara and Parure at the Wedding Ball of Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein and Countess Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau in 1967.

Princess Diane, Duchess of Württemberg continued to wear the Ruby Tiara and Parure for numerous official dinner and balls through the years, as well as for a series of family portrait taken in the 1970s.

A few years ago, Princess Diane gave the Württemberg Ruby Parure to her second son, Duke Phillip of Württemberg, and it was debuted by his wife, Duchess Marie-Caroline in Bavaria, Duchess of Württemberg at the Wedding Ball of their daughter, Duchess Sophie of Württemberg, and Count Maximilien d’Andigné at Schloss Tegernsee. Since the couple have now separated it remains to be seen if and when the Ruby Parure will be worn again!

Interestingly, Philipp Württemberg Art Advisory GmbH. was associated with the several jewels of Archduchess Maria Immaculata sold on Auction at the Sotheby’s Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection Sale in Geneva earlier this month,

Württemberg Ruby Tiara | Imperial and Royal Collection on Auction at Sotheby’s