Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Queen Marie-José of Italy, who passed away on this day in 2001. The Belgian Princess who became the last Queen of Italy, Queen Marie-José possessed the vast jewellery collection of the House of Savoy, which included this Diamond Bow Brooch!

Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara | Beauharnais Pearl Tiara | Bow Brooch | Sapphire Necklace | Diamond Earrings | Savoy Knot Brooches | Savoy Knot Necklace | Queen Margherita’s Pearl Bracelet 

Made by Italian Crown Jeweller Musy around 1860, this Diamond Bow Brooch is reported to have been worn by Queen Margherita and Queen Elena before it was given as a wedding gift by King Victor-Emmanuel III and Queen Elena of Italy to their new daughter-in-law, Princess Marie-Jose of Belgium, when she married Crown Prince Umberto.

A Musy Diamond Bow Brooch of openwork ribbon design, each loop enclosing a graduated line of old-cut diamond collets to the central tie, circa 1860, 2 1/2 ins., mounted in silver-topped gold

Princess Marie-José notably wore the Musy Diamond Bow Brooch with Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara at at the Christening of the Prince of Naples in 1937 and then at the Coronation of Pope Pius XII in 1939.

After the abolition of the Italian Monarchy, Queen Marie-José wore the Musy Diamond Bow Brooch with Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara at the Wedding Gala for her daughter, Princess Maria-Pia, and Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia in Portugal in 1955.

The following year, Queen Marie-José wore the Musy Diamond Bow Brooch for Queen Elisabeth of Belgium’s 80th Birthday in 1956.

In 1960, Queen Marie-José wore the Diamond Bow Brooch with Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara at the Wedding Ball of her nephew, King Baudouin of Belgium, and Dona Fabiola de Mora y Aragon at the Royal Palace of Brussels, before it was worn for the Civil and Religious Ceremonies.

Two years later, Queen Marie-José wore the Musy Diamond Bow Brooch with Queen Margherita’s Diamond Wreath Tiara and her Sapphire Necklace at the Wedding Ball of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece at the Royal Palace of Athens.

In 1964, Queen Marie-José wore the Musy Diamond Bow Brooch for the Wedding of Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta and Princess Claude of Orléans at the Igreja Paroquial De São Pedro De Sintra.

The Diamond Bow Brooch was also worn by Princess Maria Gabriella with her Pearl and Diamond Tiara for the Wedding Gala of King Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark in 1964.

The following day, Queen Marie-José wore the Musy Diamond Bow Brooch for the Wedding of King Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark.

After Queen Marie José’s death in 2001, the Diamond Bow Brooch was left to Princess Maria Gabriella, who sold it at auction at Christie’s in June 2007, along with several other royal heirlooms, where it fetched GBP 48,000 after an estimate of GBP 6,000 – GBP 8,000. The Musy Diamond Bow Brooch was sold again by Christie’s in April 2017, fetching USD 37,500 after an estimate of USD 10,000 – USD 15,000. It’s current location is unknown.

Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara | Beauharnais Pearl Tiara | Bow Brooch | Sapphire Necklace | Diamond Earrings | Savoy Knot Brooches | Savoy Knot Necklace | Queen Margherita’s Pearl Bracelet

Queen Margherita’s Musy Tiara