American Princess

A few weeks ago, I spied something at the MFA's jewelry exhibition:

Verdura's "Indian Headdress" Tiara (photo from Verdura.com)

Isn't it lovely? 

According to Verdura's blog, the piece was "designed for the presentation of Betsey Whitney in 1956 at the Court of St. James." The plaque at the MFA explained that the recent coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 had created a renewed interest in crowns and tiaras. The wife of the American ambassador, Betsey Whitney, wanted to participate in the trend, but didn't know if it was appropriate for an ambassador of a democratic county to wear a symbol associated with monarchies. Verdura considered her predicament and approached the problem creatively by designing a headdress that reflected America's history. It's a thoughtful way to remember how the American Indians preceded the English colonies; that the first chapter of their story is where the American story truly begins. 

Read reviews about the exhibit here and here.

View images from the MFA's collection here.