A vintage tiara used as part of a wedding outfit in popular period/costume drama Downton Abbey is now available for rent or purchase, for brides wishing to 'spice up’ their vintage-inspired attire with a famous television prop.
The vintage tiara in question was worn by character Lady Mary Crawley for her wedding to fiancé Matthew, at the beginning of the hugely popular show’s third season. The headpiece was part of an ensemble designed by a popular wedding dress stylist especially for the series
The headpiece is patterned in leaves and floral clusters, interwoven with pave-set old-cut diamonds. It is estimated to weigh roughly 45 carats. On the show, it was an integral part of the production’s most expensive costume to date — a wedding dress inset with rice beads and Swarovski crystals, complete with a vintage veil. Overall, the making of this single garment took a grand total of eight weeks and cost roughly $6000 (around £3600).
What many viewers may not be aware of is that, unlike the dress, the tiara in question is actually vintage. A representative of the auction site responsible for offering the item has come on record to state that the headpiece probably dates back to Georgian times, with 1825 or 1830 ventured as potential manufacture dates. The same specialist ventured that this vintage tiara would have been custom-made for an aristocratic British family, similar to the one 'Downton Abbey’ itself centres around. The piece is made even more rare and desirable by the fact that few headpieces from this period survived, with most having broken or otherwise suffered damage.
Brides interested in owning this vintage tiara would be expected to pay upwards of $200.000 (£120.000). An equitable amount is required as a deposit for renting the headpiece, with the daily rental rate standing at around $2.000 (£1200). The bulk of the interest is expected to come from the UK, as American brides tend to shy away from tiaras.
Downton Abbey airs on ITV in the UK and PBS in the United States, and is currently in its fourth season.
About Tatiana Porembova:
Wedding dress designer Tatiana has over a decade’s experience in the couture fashion world. For more information see http://www.tatianaporembova.co.uk/
For Media Contact:
Tatiana Porembova
Bridal Studio
3 Union Court
Sheen Road
Richmond
Surrey TW9 1AA
+44 (0)20 3490 0457
Email: [email protected]