The disappearing necklace

Who knew this necklace had a story to tell? First of all, it was discovered by the restorer, who removed a layer of flesh coloured paint that was covering it. That’s why it’s not very well defined. However, Lady Louisa’s bracelet and earrings are now revealed as parts of a grand parure.

Castellani was the fashionable jeweller who made them. It’s possible that Robert Wardlaw Ramsay bought the showy piece during a sudden journey to Lucca. Their oldest boy, William, had announced his engagement to a girl there, and Robert was determined to put a stop to this. He may have allowed himself a moment in the local jewellers to purchase this gift for his wife, back in Edinburgh with the two youngest boys. Why the necklace was later painted over is another story! The real parure disappeared long ago…