Grand Duchess Ksenia and Grand Duke Alexander

[Svetabel]

Reading "Once a Grand Duchess" it says Xenia did not care much for jewels. I think these photos show otherwise!!?

I always considered strange Sandro's words that "Xenia did not care much for jewels". A woman who does not like jewellery? . But I guess that meant Xenia did not bejewell herself like her mother, for example.

[koloagirl]

 

I hope that this is the appropriate place to put this -- but here goes!

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to purchase a small bookmark that was painted by GD Xenia -- I researched it as thoroughly as possible and I believe it to be absolutely authentic.  I think it is done in watercolor and has a stamp on the back showing that it came from her estate.  I think it is absolutely amazing that this is something that Xenia actually sat down and painted herself!  I'm sure it was done well after 1918, but that doesn't make it any less special.  It is my most prized Romanov item and I'll show you the one scan I did of it (very carefully!)  I have it framed in acid free museum type backing and frame and hang it in a spot where it gets no direct sunlight.  I hope that you enjoy it -- I think it is charming!!!



  (back showing stamp)

Janet R.   

[Rachael89]

How incredible Janet  !!! I can never hope to own anything ever made/owned by the Romanovs (I am but a poor student  ) but it's great to see a your bookmark painted by Xenia herself.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get hold of it? I find little things like this very interesting!

Rachael

[Eddie_uk]

I always considered strange Sandro's words that "Xenia did not care much for jewels". A woman who does not like jewellery? . But I guess that meant Xenia did not bejewell herself like her mother, for example.

I know, and a Romanov woman at that!!! In all the photos she looks pretty bejewelled to me...

[Svetabel]

One more photo of Xenia, with her mother and Sandro.

[grandduchessella]

Was the sitting for a specific event--like an engagment? There's a photo of MF from that sitting and her dress is still preserved.

[Svetabel]

Was the sitting for a specific event--like an engagment? There's a photo of MF from that sitting and her dress is still preserved.

Probably it was indeed for an engagement or just after the wedding, the date is 1894.

[Janet_W.]

Regarding Xenia's indifference to jewels, I see that she and I have that in common.

Yes, Eddieboy, we do exist: Women who do not particularly like jewelry!

I'm not adverse to wearing a bit of jewelry now and then, and I can appreciate the artistic beauty of fine jewelry and their settings. In my opinion, however, admiration of jewelry can become obsessive to the point of illness . . . a false God. (And, I should add, I'm an agnostic, so I'm not promoting any religious agenda.)

When our tour was conducted down a series of steps to see the Kremlin diamonds--well, of course I was interested. But as we stood in the darkened room, eagle-eyed guards watching us as we gazed through bullet-proof glass at an array of diamonds acquired through subjugation, treachery and murder, their sparkle was for me supplanted by a wash of coagulating blood.

The irony that we had descended into a basement room, with no other escape but the way we came in, also did not escape me.

[Romanov_fan]

You would not think that a Romanov woman would be indifferent to jewels, but not all women like them, no matter the selection they might have to wear, as Xzenia certainly did. The Romanov jewels were famous, although the tragedy of that dynasty is also famous and perhaps clouds the jewels somewhat. They represent years of a tragic but very faboulous dynasty. I rather like jewelry myself, although I don't own much jewelry.

[grandduchessella]

As to Xenia, she may not have cared for jewelry as much as some but she sure had a whopper of a collection---pearls, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires. Here is some:

http://www.royal-magazin.de/russia/grossfuerstin-xenia-alexandrowna.htm

http://www.royal-magazin.de/russia/ksenia-alexandrovna.htm

http://www.royal-magazin.de/russia/ksenia-alexandrovna.htm

http://www.royal-magazin.de/russia/ksenia-alexandrovna.htm

[Eric_Lowe]

I heard she also had a collection of black pearls. They were later sold for a bad investment introduced by her husband. Wonder if anyone knew or see those pearls. 

[Eddie_uk]

Yes, Eddieboy, we do exist: Women who do not particularly like jewelry!

lol  of course Janet!

I just don't think a lady can go wrong with a few nice pieces of jewellery, looks so classy IMO.

I think it's rather clear that Xenia was fond of jewellery, and when you see pictures of her in exile she has her neumerous bracelets and her lovely ropes of pearls!!!

[Romanov_fan]

Yes, she did have quite a jewelry collection. All the Romanov women did of course. I have never read the biography of Xzenia, but wonder if it mentions her attitude towards jewelry in there at all. I suppose she coudn't hate it given the collection she had of it. She was pretty, so the jewelry suited her.

[Eric_Lowe]

Sadly she lost most of it by the time her death... 

[Romanov_fan]

Indeed, she did. Not all jewels were even brought into exile, but of those that were, many had to be sold.