Tiaras - by Geoffrey C Munn (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"The photos here are undeniably spectacular -- but the exploration of the costume ball's history is worth sticking around for, too." --Natural Diamonds

Tiaras have always inspired a great fascination and the most beautiful and influential women have been painted, photographed and admired whilst wearing them. Even in the 21st century they are still worn and continue to inspire special poise, elegance and sophistication.
This lavishly illustrated book includes exclusive photographs, many repro-duced for the first time, of a variety of Royal tiaras together with those of French and Russian Imperial provenance, including four stunning tiaras designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. Geoffrey Munn has also been granted privileged access to the archives of many famous jewelers, including Boucheron, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels and Fabergé, for his research.
The regal images of some of the most prestigious jewels in the world will captivate the reader and ensure turning the page to the next enticing image becomes irresistible. Many of these mes-merizing tiaras also have great historical signifi-cance and their provenance is fully explained here. Among the con-temporary pieces referred to are tiaras belonging to Jamie Lee Curtis, Vivienne Westwood, Elton John and Madonna, that were made by Galliano, Slim Barratt and Versace.
The scholarly text, which incorporates more than 400 illustrations, includes chapters on tiaras as crown jewels, Russian style tiaras, tiaras as works of art and the relationship between the tiara and the costume ball. Tiaras - A History of Splendour is a magnificent work that will enthral all those interested in fashion and style, jewelry, European history and Royalty.
"... beautifully written and magnificently produced... for anyone interested in social history, it's as good a read as you are likely to have this year." Daily Telegraph
"A truly majestic book" Antiques Info
"... elegantly melds social history, fashion criticism and an appreciation of the jeweler's art." Town & Country

Review Quotes

Tiaras is named as one of "The 20 Best Coffee Table Books for 2026."-- "The Wall Street Journal"

"If the thieves who dropped Empress Eugenie's crown outside the Louvre during this year's heist, sparked an interest in jeweled headgear, try this encyclopedic guide to the world's most famous tiaras."--Sarah Adams ""The 20 Best Coffee Table Books for 2026," The Wall Street Journal"

"However, there are no absolute rules regarding tiaras, as Geoffrey Munn, author of Tiaras: A History of Splendour, told me. "Anyone can wear one!" he says. "You do not have to have a title.""--British Vogue

"Just as Her Majesty had Norman Hartnell embroider her wedding dress with symbolic blooms, she also tasked the British couturier with making meaningful headgear for her bridesmaids: wreaths of wheat and freesias with crystal dew drops attached and forget-me-nots at the back, a symbol of true love, according to Geoffrey C Munn's Tiaras: A History of Splendour."--British Vogue

"The famed headgear of European royalty is twinkling around the globe."--Bloomberg Pursuits

"The photos here are undeniably spectacular -- but the exploration of the costume ball's history is worth sticking around for, too."--Natural Diamonds

"...lavish and beautifully illustrated new study...[Geoffrey Munn's] text is perfectly balanced between sober art and historical chops (as when discussing three tiaras designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria) and giddy appreciation (discussing a tiara made for drag comedienne Dame Edna Everage" Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Geoffrey C. Munn curated prestigious exhibitions of tiaras at the Victoria and Albert Museum and in America. He is co-author of Pre-Raphaelite to Arts and Crafts Jewellery and author of both Castellani and Giuliano - Revivalist Jewellers of the 19th Century and The Triumph of Love - Jewellery 1530-1930. He is also the jewelry specialist on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.