Empress Alexandra's Wedding Crown: From Kremlin to U.S. via Revolution and Sale
The wedding crown of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, worn in 1894, has had an eventful journey. Once deemed 'not of high artistic value' by the Soviet Union, it now resides in the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C. Its path from the Kremlin to the U.S. is a tale of revolution, estate sales, and preservation.
In 1920, the Council of People’s Commissars of the RSFSR decreed the sale of imperial treasures abroad, including Alexandra's wedding crown. Leon Trotsky argued for this move to secure funds, rather than risking potential losses due to world revolution. The crown was sold in 1926, with Norman Weiss purchasing it for between £45,000 and £50,000. It was then declared 'of no high artistic value' by the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, another priceless piece, the 'Russian Beauty' tiara, crafted by Carl Bolin, was sold in 1927 and is now held in the vault of the Central Bank of the Philippines. The crown, however, resurfaced at a Sotheby's auction in 1966 and was acquired by Marjorie Merriweather Post, who bequeathed it to the Hillwood Estate.
Today, the crown of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna is part of the Hillwood Estate's 17,000 works of art. Its journey serves as a reminder of the tumultuous history of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, and the preservation of its cultural heritage.
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