Maria Theresa
Marriage among European royalty in the past was more a matter of politics than love. It was common for parents to choose spouses
for their children when they were still toddlers. Therefore, it wasn't unusual that the fate of the eighteenth century Empress of
Austria, Maria Theresa, had been decided when she was barely six years old. What was highly unorthodox, was that her future
husband had been chosen by the precious young princess herself! She first laid eyes on Franz Stephen, the heir to the Duchy of
Lorraine when her family was visiting Prague. She fell instantly in love with this handsome youth, and knew that she would marry
him some day. Despite her parents' attempts to arrange more "appropriate" matches for her, Maria Theresa's heart won out. She and
Franz Stephan were married when she was nineteen and he was twenty-seven.
Maria Theresa's life mirrored that of a twenty-first century woman's in that she had to balance family with a weighty career. The
beautiful Empress succeeded to the throne at the tender age of twenty-three. Many thought she was too young and weak to rule the
Austrian empire, but she proved herself to be a great, and humane ruler. She made sweeping social reforms, abolishing child labor,
improving the lives of soldiers, and making public education compulsory on all levels of society. The arts flowered under her
stewardship, and great composers such as Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart flourished in Vienna. Maria Theresa was beloved by her people,
but even while she took her responsibilities as Empress seriously, she still managed to give birth to sixteen beautiful children.
She loved them dearly, and was still deeply in love with Franz Stephen when he passed unexpectedly. She was only forty-eight, but
she never overcame her grief. She gave her empire up to her son, Joseph, and retreated from public life.
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Like the lovely Empress, Maria Theresa, this spectacular tiara combines strength and dignity with femininity and breathtaking beauty.
The delicately crafted design is reminiscent of hand-woven European tapestries with sweeping vines embellished with sparkling
Austrian crystals, and elegant details borrowed from nature and art. The larger pear-shaped, and round stones are multifaceted cubic
zirconia. These quality gems give this very pretty tiara special brilliance that can only be matched by fine diamonds. The sparkle is
set off by the crisp, bright silver-tone of the background. With a profile of 1 1/8 inches at the peak, this elegant piece is not only
tasteful, but perfect for many different shapes of faces and several hair styles. The lovely design measures 8 inches of the 14 inch
band, which is gently sloped.
Please see our other galleries for M212R, this same tiara, in a darker, heirloom silver tone.
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Maria Theresa, 212A--$139.00
Click HERE to order.
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