Historical Anniversaries: Leo and Sophia Tolstoy

Today is the 152nd wedding anniversary of literary powerhouse couple Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sophia. It’s clear that the marriage wasn’t the happiest, but the novels the two produced (Sophia transcribed and edited the massive manuscript for War and Peace seven times!) are pillars of Western literature.

Such classic dramatic works have long been fodder for Hollywood adaptation. And, they have become one of the most popular ways for us to view what life might have been like during the time that our (now antique) jewelry was produced. Of course, we always expect some dramatic license, such as in Joe Wright’s whimsical adaptation of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, but the film’s design definitely pays homage to the early Belle Époque style that is contemporary to the novel. 

Keira Knightley in Chanel jewelry, in Anna Karenina (2012)

Carey Mulligan in Tiffany & Co. jewelry, in The Great Gatsby (2013)

That said, we would love to see more actual antique jewelry in films about these time periods. In the film Anna Karenina, Keira Knightley wears a diamond necklace by Chanel; the novel was published six years before Coco herself was even born. And, who could forget those Art Deco-inspired pearl bracelets that Tiffany & Co, made for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby? They certainly capture the opulence of the roaring ‘20s, but we know that there are plenty of fabulous examples of vintage Art Deco jewelry around today.  We appreciate that our favorite antique jewelry eras inspire modern design, but we always love the real thing.  

So, whether you have read the book or seen the movie, or just love the jewelry from their past, let’s tip our hats to Leo and Sophia, and their enduring legacy!

Historical Weddings: Barbara Hutton & Cary Grant

Barbara Hutton came back into the public eye recently with the Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction of her amazing jadeite necklace in April. The strand, fashioned by Cartier of 27 beads with a ruby and diamond clasp, set an auction record for Sotheby’s with its $27.44 million price tag. The necklace was a wedding gift for Hutton’s first marriage to Prince Alexis Mdivani of Georgia.

Today, however, we’re choosing to remember one of her happiest, and most photogenic, wedding anniversaries, to silver screen legend Cary Grant. He and Hutton tied the knot on this day in 1942. While this wedding was neither’s first or last, Grant was pretty much the only guy that didn’t try to squander Hutton’s inherited fortune, and it is well known that the two remained good friends after their divorce in 1945. What a good man. Happy 72nd Anniversary Barbara and Cary!

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hutton

http://www.jewelsdujour.com/2014/02/barbara-huttons-legendary-jadeite-necklace-highlights-sothebys-hong-kong-magnificent-jewels-jadeite-spring-sale/

Historical Weddings: Martin Luther & Katharina Von Bora

2021 Update: Since we originally posted this seven (!) years ago, there’s been some new research, and we must ask the question: are the below rings and designs truly accurate portrayals of the rings worn by the Luthers?

Maybe … but as it turns out, likely not. The provenance of both Luther’s gimmel ring and Van Bora’s engagement ring as pictured, only takes us back to the early 19th century, meaning that the actual wedding rings of the Luthers were MIA for a few hundred years before reappearing in print or in person. This would have given enterprising individuals plenty of time to create their own versions of the Luthers’ rings.

So, until new information comes to light, the wedding rings of the Luthers remain a history mystery…

Thanks to Y. Markowitz for raising the question.

*****Original Post Left Below*******

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Congratulations to Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora, who celebrate their 425th Wedding Anniversary today!

The lovely couple as painted in 1526 by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a year into their marriage.

In addition to making the Protestant Reformation happen and forever altering the course of Western history, the Luthers were not afraid to show a little bling. The couples’ marriage rings attest to their unique taste:

What is said to be Katharina's gold and ruby ring, Stadtgeshichtelichtes Museum, Leipzig.                                                                                           

Katharina’s golden engagement ring features a crucified Jesus surrounded by various torture instruments that were used at his execution (how romantic!).  Topping off the piece is a nice blood-red ruby.  The inside of the band is engraved with the couples’ initials and wedding date. What is said to be her original ring lives at the Stadtgeschichtelichtes museum in Leipzig.

An illustration of Martin's gimmel ring, as shown in Dr. Martin Luther und seine Zeitgenossen, published 1817.

This illustration from the early nineteenth century shows Martin’s wedding ring was even more elaborate – made as a “gimmel,” or, “twin” ring,  the two halves open up to reveal the couples’ initials and a secret message. Written in German, the ring states “What God has joined let no man put asunder.” Crowning the intricate piece are a table-cut diamond and ruby.

Cheers to a couple who expressed the importance of individuality – right down to their wedding bands!