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The complete set of nine stones produced from the Cullinan Diamond October 1908

Platinum print | 16.8 x 22.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2800279

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  • Photograph of the nine complete diamonds cleft from the Cullinan Diamond. Cullinan I and II, the two largest cut diamonds, were reserved for King Edward and in 1909 they were temporarily mounted as a somewhat oversized pendant brooch. After Edward VII's death in 1910, Cullinan I and II were set respectively in the head of the Sovereign's Sceptre and on the band of the Imperial State Crown, although they were still detachable and were occasionally worn as a brooch by Queen Mary. Asscher meanwhile had retained the stones numbered III-V and VII-IX (King Edward having purchased VI in a separate transaction), together with the ninety-six smaller stones and fragments, as the fee for cutting and polishing the Cullinan. All of these, including the numbered stones, collectively known as the 'chippings', were acquired by the South African government and were given to Queen Mary in 1910. Queen Mary had Cullinan III and IV - a pear-shaped drop of 94.4 carats and a square-cut stone of 63.6 carats - set temporarily in her new crown for the coronation of 1911, but generally she wore the stones hooked together as a brooch (now known as the Cullinan Brooch) in their fine lattice-work setting. She also used them occasionally as a pendant to Queen Victoria's collet necklace in place of the Lahore Diamond and at least once wore this arrangement with Cullinan I and II as a brooch.
    Provenance

    Acquired by King George V

  • Medium and techniques

    Platinum print

    Measurements

    16.8 x 22.8 cm (image)

  • Alternative title(s)

    The Stone After Completion [1) The Cullinan, Joseph Asscher & Cie 2) The Cullinan, by Joseph Asscher & Cie/An Album Showing Photographs of the Cullinan Diamond]


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