Today marks the 145th Anniversary of the Birth of Edith, Marchioness of Londonderry, who was born on this day in 1878! The influential aristocratic Society Hostess who was the first woman to be appointed to be a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Military Division, the Marchioness of Londonderry was often seen in the spectacular Londonderry Jewels, which included this spectacular Diamond Stomacher!
Marchioness of Londonderry’s Tiaras | Londonderry Diamond Stomacher
A spectacular Diamond Stomacher made by Garrard in 1853, for Frances Anne, widow of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, consisting of 230 carats of diamonds, the largest of 15 carats, which were taken from a Garter Insignia and Sword of the legendary Viscount Castlereagh which were worn at the Coronation of George IV in 1821. The Stomacher can be divided into three brooches and was described:
In three tiers each composed of a diamond flower centre with a large single diamond forming the stamen in a diamond frame of scrolls entwined by sprays of rose buds graduating downwards. The lower part forming a pendant panel, with three spear-head pendant drops held between two similar drops with a pear-shaped diamond centre mid. 19th century.
The spectacular Diamond Stomacher first appeared on Theresa, the 6th Marchioness of Londonderry, who wore it in various configurations for a series of portraits in 1889 and 1891, along with the Londonderry Tiara. The Marchioness was one of the leading Tory hostess, referred to as a ‘highwaywoman in a tiara’ when she entertained at Wynyard Park, Mount Stewart, and at Londonderry House in London.
The Marchioness also wore the Diamond Stomacher on her dress when she dress as Empress Maria Theresa of Austria for the iconic Devonshire House Ball in 1897.
The Diamond Stomacher was also paired with the Londonderry Tiara and several other heirlooms for the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, when Lady Londonderry dropped the Tiara into the toilet and it had to be ‘rescued by a pair of forceps’.
The 7th Marchioness of Londonderry was also a spectacular society hostess, wearing the Diamond Stomacher on numerous occasions when she entertained at Londonderry House in London during the 1920s and 30s, including for a series of portraits taken in 1927, when she also wore the Londonderry Tiara and Turquoise Parure.
In 1937, the Marchioness of Londonderry wore the Londonderry Tiara, Pearl Parure and Diamond Stomacher for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey.
Following the war, the Londonderry Diamond Stomacher was paired with the Londonderry Tiara for the State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords in 1948, held for the first time with full Ceremonial after the Second World War.
In 1959, the year she passed away, the Marchioness of Londonderry loaned the Diamond Stomacher and the Londonderry Tiara for the ‘Ageless Diamond’ Exhibit at Christie’s, along with Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara, The Cullinan Diamonds, the Queen’s South African Diamonds, the Northumberland Clover Coronet, the Sutherland Diamond Rivière and the Spencer Diamond Rivière.
Fashions had changed by the 1960s, and the 9th Marchioness of Londonderry wore the Diamond Stomacher as a magnificent Diamond Choker for a portrait in 1967, along with the Londonderry Amethysts worn as Bracelets.
Family Fortunes have changed and the current Marquess of Londonderry no longer has a family seat, but continues to posses the Family Jewels, which have been on permanent loan to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for decades.
Marchioness of Londonderry’s Tiaras | Londonderry Diamond Stomacher
